Panama’s top-flight football league, the LPF, has opened an official investigation into match-fixing allegations involving veteran goalkeeper José Calderón after a controversial own goal in the closing moments of a league match. The incident took place on May 2, when Alianza FC secured a 3-2 win over Sporting San Miguelito following a decisive goal in the 90th minute.
Late own goal triggers controversy
The accusations were made by Gustavo Herrera of Sporting San Miguelito, who claimed Calderón deliberately allowed the goal that handed victory to Alianza FC. The allegation quickly escalated into a broader integrity issue, with Sporting San Miguelito filing formal complaints to both the league and the Panamanian football federation and calling for a full review of the match.
Calderón, 40 years old and a goalkeeper with 44 national team appearances, rejected the claims. He said the own goal was an unintentional mistake rather than a deliberate act. His denial has become a central part of the case as league officials assess the circumstances surrounding the play.
League stresses competitive integrity
The LPF said it would pursue the matter seriously, underscoring the need to protect professional competition standards. The investigation comes at a time of increased scrutiny around Panamanian football, especially as the country prepares for international competition beginning on June 11. That broader context has added weight to the case, making it not only a dispute over one result but also a test of institutional credibility.
For now, the investigation remains ongoing, and no final ruling has been announced.