FIFA investigates alleged match-fixing in Mexican Football Federation

The Mexican Football Federation is reportedly under investigation by the FBI for alleged match-fixing during the 2005 hexagonal due to the payment of bribes.

Journalist Dinah de Saracho, from Grupo Radio Centro, claimed to have documents linking Chuck Blazer, former Concacaf official, to the payment of bribes in 2003, during the Copa Oro.

Another match to be investigated is the one between Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico in the final hexagonal of the Concacaf prior to the 2006 World Cup. The result of this match is suspicious due to the circumstances surrounding it. Ricardo La Volpe was the national coach at that time. For this match, the Mexican National Team, surprisingly, took the field with a team full of substitutes, although they had already qualified for the World Cup.

In response to these allegations, Alberto de la Torre, who was the president of the Mexican Football Federation at that time, spoke to AS Mexico and stated that he is calm about the situation. "There is no wrongdoing on my part, that's why I am at ease," said the former Mexican official.

Alberto de la Torre also shared his opinion on the appointment of Decio de María as the new president of the Mexican Football Federation, and even discussed the profile that the next national coach should have. "The coach should have experience in long elimination processes and World Cups, with character to not fall into the game of commercialization and the media. A coach who understands the physical, tactical and psychological conditions of the Latin player," he said.

About De María, he said: "In this case, it is easier because Decio has worked hand in hand with the president for the last 12 years. I hope the continuity turns out well," he concluded.