On August 22, soccer player David Escalante outed his teammates on Chile’s Club Cobreloa team. He publicly accused them of being addicted to sports betting, and the proclamation is setting off a whirlwind of activity in the country.
The players of Chile’s Cobreloa club head to the locker room with their heads down after a game. The team is one of several embroiled in a sports betting scandal in the country. (Image: BeSport)
Escalante, originally from Argentina, was quoted by DSports Chile as saying, “They are sick! All day betting, penalties, the corner kicks.” The players, betting in the locker rooms before and after matches, would allegedly gather to celebrate if the bets won and turn on their fellow players who placed the bets if they lost.
There was also an accusation aimed specifically at former teammate Axl Rios, with Escalante accusing him of intentionally throwing a match. The result is a scandal that is proving to be almost as embarrassing as Brazil’s match-fixing scandal and a number of changes in the pipeline.
Chilean Sports Gets an Overhaul
Chile’s National Association of Professional Football (ANFP, for its Spanish acronym) decided to take action on the matter. The leadership had a meeting in which it was determined that the serious allegations warranted an official complaint with the prosecutor’s office.
That would lead to a full investigation to determine if any criminal activity has taken place. However, there’s no indication that prosecutors are willing to accept the case.
That may be partly because of the lack of tangible evidence so far. Rios has denied the accusations and has threatened to sue Escalante for slander. However, he has also admitted that he knows some Club Cobreloa players were betting.
Jaime Pizarro, Chile’s Minister of Sports, is looking into the situation, as well. He recently made a series of announcements related to soccer that he asserts will result in higher standards of integrity.
One of the main aspects of the initiative is the regulation of the presence of bookmakers in Chilean soccer, whose future is now up in the air and continues to be debated in parliament. In addition, the government emphasizes that sports betting must be legislated quickly to increase tax collection, since today, many operate from abroad.
The ANFP is also under increased scrutiny, which could lead to more changes. Several legislators want a commission to explore the organization and its relationship with online betting platforms. They want to know how the ANFP could align itself with the platforms since online sports betting is illegal in the country.
No More Betting Ads
The scandal couldn’t have come at a worse time for operators. A legislative measure was already underway to eliminate betting ads, and it is gathering steam in light of Escalante’s accusations.
Deputy Marco Antonio Sulantay is behind a bill that would prohibit the advertising of bookmakers in sporting events and clubs. The Chamber of Deputies already gave the green light to the bill, which has to go back to the Sports Commission to discuss some particular points. After that, it will go to the Chamber of Senators for discussion.
The bill has made only slow progress so far, having spent the past year in limbo. However, the sports betting revelations are likely to give it new legs.
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