Guabira goalkeeper threatened as Always Ready inflict 6-0 defeat in Bolivia

Guabira goalkeeper was threatened with the murder of his family unless he conceded goals against Always Ready in the Bolivian league, according to the club’s manager. Guabira subsequently suffered a 6-0 defeat, with five of the goals coming in the first half.

The incident was revealed by Guabira manager Leonardo Eguez after the match, which was played in the 19th round of the Bolivian league.

“Football has been stained, it is stained,” Eguez said at the post-match news conference. “Our goalkeeper, his wife and his mother received death threats. They were told that if they did not pay a certain amount of money, or if he did not concede three goals, they would be killed.”

The goalkeeper conceded three times during the opening 35 minutes and was then taken off. Eguez said the player had told his team-mates about the threats only minutes before kick-off.

Guabira and their players said they were not accusing Always Ready, who are second in the league with 42 points, level with Bolivar.

“We are here to defend this and show our faces because our reputation, our family name, our institution and an entire city are at stake,” Eguez said. “This situation cannot continue. This mafia must be stopped.

“Please, Mr President, president of the Retailers’ Federation, public prosecutor, imprison whoever you consider appropriate, but this cannot go on.”

He added: “If we have to lose our jobs, we will do it, but life cannot continue like this. Where are the principles? Where are the values? How long will we continue to turn a blind eye?”

Eguez also alleged that organised criminal groups were deeply involved in such incidents.

“There are mafia gangs deeply rooted in this kind of thing, and this is not the first time,” he said. “That is why we are condemning it publicly and offering ourselves as a team for any investigation. But this dirty situation cannot continue.”

Some Guabira players told the Bolivian website eldia: “For us, this is a disgrace. We received the news before the match. It is shameful. We apologise to the club and our families for the result. This does not represent Guabira.

“We want to move forward, but by doing things properly, and this is not that.”

Victor Abrego said he left the pitch because he was frightened by what his team-mate had told him.

“I was very afraid of what my team-mate told me,” he said. “I was not in the match and I could not continue. I was scared and did not want to carry on. I left crying.”

Abrego was substituted alongside Ferrel in the 39th minute.

Guabira have not issued an official statement about the allegations. They are ninth in the league with 26 points following the defeat.