Argentina: “El Porvenir” Players Suspended on Suspicion of Match-Fixing

Argentina – May 21, 2025 | www.zonadeazar.com Four players from El Porvenir, a team in the fourth division of Argentine football, have been provisionally suspended for 90 days by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) after being suspected of involvement in a sports betting match-fixing scheme. The case is currently under investigation by the Argentine Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The suspended players are defender Marquinhos, midfielder Pantico, goalkeeper Blanco, and forward Vaqueiro. In addition to the players, Serbian agent Nicifor Simovic — known for representing professional athletes — was also sanctioned and banned from attending stadiums during the investigation period.

This is not the first time El Porvenir has been at the center of a match-fixing investigation. According to the AFA, the current complaint was submitted directly to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, although the association chose not to disclose further details about the case or the possible connection between the players and the agent involved.

According to the Argentine press, there are suspicions that the players were instructed to deliberately receive yellow cards during matches in order to manipulate betting outcomes — allegedly under Simovic’s orders.

The case underscores growing concerns about the influence of the sports betting market on football, especially in the lower divisions, where players may be more vulnerable. Investigations are ongoing, as Argentine football once again finds itself at the center of a troubling episode related to sports integrity.

Edited by: @_fonta | www.zonadeazar.com