▲ Juan Manuel Perel, who received death threats
A controversy has erupted in Bolivian professional football following claims that a goalkeeper received death threats ahead of a match.
According to the Associated Press, Leonardo Egüez, manager of the Bolivian first-division club Guabirá, claimed that his team's goalkeeper, Juan Manuel Perel, received death threats.
Manager Egüez stated, "Our goalkeeper's life, as well as the lives of his wife and mother, were threatened. He was threatened that if he did not pay a certain amount set by the blackmailers or concede three goals in the match, his family would be killed."
Perel received the threats ahead of Guabirá's match against Always Ready last weekend.
The match, held at Always Ready's home stadium in El Alto, ended in a 6-0 landslide victory for Always Ready.
Manager Egüez urged, "It is impossible to prepare seriously for a match when receiving death threats. Something suspicious is happening, and an investigation is necessary."
While the Guabirá club has not yet released an official statement, the Bolivian Professional Footballers' Association has called for an immediate investigation into the allegations.
The union stated, "We cannot let what happened to the Guabirá players pass without an investigation. A clear precedent must be set for Bolivian football."
Always Ready, the winning team, is also demanding an investigation.
The club's legal advisor pointed out, "Football must not be tainted. To protect the integrity of the sport, we will request an investigation by prosecutors," adding, "The validity of this match result itself is being called into question."
In the Bolivian league table, Always Ready sits in second place, while Guabirá is in ninth.
(Photo: Twitter capture, Yonhap News)
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