Former Referee Confesses to Match Fixing in 2005 Alianza Lima Game

A long-standing controversy has come to light again as former Brazilian referee Edílson Pereira de Carvalho admitted he intentionally impacted Alianza Lima during a Copa Libertadores match in 2005. In a documentary by Globo, titled Whistle Mafia, Pereira revealed that he manipulated the 3-2 loss to Banfield in Argentina, a result that stopped the Peruvian team from moving forward in the group stage.

Pereira acknowledged that he received 10,000 reais (around 4,000 dollars back then) to favor Banfield. This was his first involvement in a match-fixing scheme that later affected the Copa Sudamericana, the Brazilian league, and the Paulista championship.

His actions raised concerns: he allowed an invalid goal for Banfield following a wrongly called foul while he was distracted, and he did not add the correct stoppage time despite multiple substitutions. At that time, Alianza’s president Alfonso de Souza Ferreira accused him of wrongdoing and mentioned possible legal action, stating, “Once it is proven that he acted against the law, we will claim our rights and demand compensation for the damage.”

Initially, FIFA did not intervene, but soon afterward, Pereira was suspended by the Brazilian Football Confederation and later received a lifetime ban from the São Paulo Sports Court. All matches he officiated were annulled and replayed, ultimately benefiting Corinthians, who won the 2005 league title ahead of Internacional.