FIFA broadens lifetime bans for 14 Salvadoran players

FIFA on Monday announced it has banned 14 current and former members of El Salvador’s national soccer team for life for match fixing. Another two players received six-month and 18-month bans, respectively.

The Salvadoran national federation last month banned the players from ever again representing the country in international play. The FIFA extension will keep the players from participating in any FIFA-sanctioned event.

El Salvador launched an investigation into charges that players were involved in manipulating four international matches in 2010 and 2011, including a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in a friendly and a 5-0 loss to Mexico in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Matches involving the country’s U-20 team were also part of the probe.

Among those banned were several former Major League Soccer players, including ex-Chivas USA loanee Osael Romero and former San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Ramon Sanchez.

The Salvadoran federation shut down its national team before last month’s announcement of the sanctions.

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