Sufficient evidence gathered to charge 15 accused in Argentina’s match-fixing case

Córdoba’s Cybercrime Prosecutor, Franco Pilnik, has announced that the investigation into alleged match-fixing and betting fraud in Argentinian football has gathered “sufficient probatory evidence” to formally charge 15 individuals.

Pilnik explained that the case is not based solely on speculation or visual analysis of the game, but on concrete elements indicating coordinated manipulation aimed at obtaining illicit gains. He said: “It’s not merely related to watching the match and suspecting irregularities. We believe there is objective proof that this was arranged in some way.”

The inquiry centers on a match played on September 29 between Atenas de Río Cuarto and Juventud Unida, during which the Córdoba Lottery detected abnormal betting activity prior to kickoff. The bets, placed through recently created accounts linked to Río Cuarto, raised suspicions of an organized effort to manipulate the outcome.

Among those charged is Nicolás Gauna, a player for Atenas de Río Cuarto. Pilnik clarified that while Gauna is accused of participating in the scheme, the exact nature of his involvement is still under investigation. The prosecutor confirmed: “He has already testified as a defendant, accompanied by his attorney.”

The judiciary has also requested cooperation from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to assist with disciplinary and procedural matters related to the case.

Good to know: The accused include club executives, staff members, several players and a provincial official from the provincial Sports Agency

Authorities suspect that several of the accused used third-party accounts and layered betting structures to conceal their identities and operations. The estimated sums involved amount to several million argentinian pesos, linked to complex wagers on goals, results and score differences.

Pilnik emphasized that, for procedural reasons, he could not disclose further details but confirmed that the investigation may expand as new leads emerge.

The request for AFA’s involvement marks a move toward closer coordination between the judicial system and sports governance bodies as Argentina confronts the challenges of betting integrity within its national competitions.

Carlos Mendez

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Odds tell a story long before the result does. When bettors learn to read that story properly, betting becomes a matter of discipline and value rather than emotion or guesswork.

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