Panama keeper accused of match-fixing after own goal

Sporting San Miguelito striker Gustavo Herrera publicly accused his teammate, veteran goalkeeper José Calderón, of match-fixing after Calderón’s 90th-minute own goal gave Alianza FC a 3–2 win on May 2. The Liga Panameña de Fútbol (LPF) has opened a formal investigation.

The own goal came when Calderón failed to control a routine cross and the ball deflected off his chest into his own net in the closing moments of the match. Calderón is 40 years old and has 44 caps for the Panama national team. He has denied any wrongdoing and described the goal as an unintentional error.

Herrera left the field before the final whistle and later posted on Instagram naming Calderón. Herrera wrote, “I’m naming names: José Calderón is a fucking match-fixer and there are many more. Aren’t you ashamed? You’re doing it openly now.” He deleted one of his messages after posting. Other teammates also made public accusations against Calderón.

Sporting San Miguelito filed formal complaints with the LPF and the Panamanian Football Federation, requesting immediate, impartial investigations into Calderón’s conduct. The LPF announced on May 3 that it would request explanations from the parties involved and pursue the matter through its disciplinary processes. The league wrote: “The league recognizes that mistakes can happen in football. However, it is also clear that some situations exceed this margin and are therefore unacceptable within the standards of professional competition. Without prejudice to the presumption of innocence, the league will act with the utmost rigor and pursue the investigation to its fullest extent.”

Coach Julio Dely Valdés described the match as unusual from the start and downplayed Herrera’s early exit, calling it “a very strange match from minute one.” He added that the issue is not just within the locker room and warned that there will be departures from the squad.

The LPF said the Integrity Office and Disciplinary Commission will gather statements and evidence before deciding on any sanctions. The inquiry arrives as authorities and leagues increase monitoring of betting-related corruption ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which opens June 11 in Mexico City; Panama qualified for the tournament.