El Salvador

El Salvador claim they've been offered bribe to fix World Cup qualifier

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:41 p.m. ET

Alex Dowd

Members of the El Salvador national team have revealed a recording that allegedly shows the team being offered a series of bribes to fix the outcome of Tuesday's World Cup qualifying match against Canada and ensure Honduras advance to the Hex.

During a press conference on Monday, the team played a recording purported to be Salvadorian businessman Ricardo Padilla offering certain payments to players based on the outcome of the qualifying match, according to a statement the Salvadorian football association made on Facebook.

NBC Deportes commentator Andres Cantor clarified that according to the man on the recording, players were offered $30 per minute played for a victory, $20 per minute played for a tie, and $15 for a 1-0 loss.

Per El Salvador's statement, Padilla made the overture on behalf of a wealthy Honduran who wanted to ensure Honduras' progressed out of CONCACAF qualifying and into the Hexagonal round. As it stands, Mexico lead Group A with 15 points with a match against Honduras later on Tuesday. Honduras have 7 points, while Canada have 4 points. El Salvador, with 2 points, cannot qualify for the Hex.

The alleged payment structure fits with what Honduras need to progress as the second-placed team in Group A, as an El Salvador win or draw would prevent Canada from tying Honduras on points. A close loss from the Salvadorians would help Honduras' cause, too, assuming El Tri don't blow out the Hondurans in Tuesday's match.

While FIFA and CONCACAF are sure to investigate the validity of the allegations from El Salvador, it certainly serves as another headache for the governing bodies as they try to recover from last summer's fallout.

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