The Colombian soccer players association has called for an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding a key promotion match that was decided with a late goal that a high-level player called an “embarrassment to Colombian soccer.”
Llaneros played Unión Magdalena at home on Saturday night and was leading 1-0 until the 95th minute, when the visitors scored twice in a row. Video of the winning goal appeared to show Llaneros players backing off their opponents and allowing them to score.
The result saw Unión Magdalena rise to the top flight, the Dimayor league, ahead of Fortaleza, which lost 2-1 at home that same night to Bogotá.
“Giving the cloak of doubt that the result of the match between Club Llaneros FC and Unión Magdalena has generated, we ask the Dimayor disciplinary commission to carry out a rigorous investigation as soon as possible,” said the association of professional footballers Acolfutpro in tweet.
Criticisms of Juan Cuadrado and Matheus Uribe
Unión Magdalena tweeted that the result was for “those who think anything is possible.” Two Colombian internationalists expressed their discomfort at the events. In a tweet, Juan Cuadrado, captain of the Italian Juventus, described Union Magdalena’s goal as “a lack of respect.” His Colombian teammate, Matheus Uribe, responded by saying that it was “a disgrace for Colombian soccer.”
Fortaleza coach Nelson Florez burst into tears at the post-game press conference. Although he admitted that they had not done their part by winning, he questioned the result. “I’m not ashamed to cry, because I feel robbed,” he said. “We can lose, but not this way.”
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