ESPN
The Colorado Rapids placed winger Max Alves on paid administrative leave Wednesday in connection with alleged unlawful sports gambling, a source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.
The Rapids released a statement announcing a player had been removed from team activities but did not identify him: “We are aware of the reports regarding a Colorado Rapids player in connection with unlawful sports gambling. We take matters of this nature seriously and seek at all times to protect the integrity of the game.
“The player has been removed from all team activities while MLS conducts an investigation into the matter.”
MLS also issued a statement with similar wording Wednesday, adding that a current and former player had been involved in unlawful gambling.
Earlier Wednesday, prosecutors from Goias state in Brazil charged 16 people, including seven professional soccer players, with alleged match fixing without naming any of the players. However, five players were suspended by their clubs in Brazil on Wednesday in similar fashion to Alves.
Rest is here…