The Disciplinary Commission of the Panamanian Football Federation confirmed this Monday a six-month provisional suspension against goalkeeper José Calderón, who must stay away from any activity linked to federated football while the corresponding investigations continue.
The measure arises as a result of the incidents recorded during the match between Alianza FC and Sporting San Miguelito on matchday 16 of the 2026 Clausura Tournament of the Panamanian Soccer League, where Calderón was accused of alleged match-fixing after scoring a controversial own goal in the 90th minute that sealed his team’s defeat.
The disciplinary authority explained through an official statement that the decision was made under strict adherence to current regulations and with the objective of protecting the transparency and integrity of national competitions.
The sanction is preventive in nature and does not represent a definitive resolution on the case, so investigations will continue to determine whether or not there was an intentional action on the part of the goalkeeper. The situation has generated reactions throughout Central American football given the player’s profile and his career in the region.
Calderón is one of the recognized goalkeepers in Central American football with an extensive career that includes his participation in the 2018 World Cup in Russia with the Panama National Team. In Guatemala he defended the colors of Comunicaciones FC,
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
📌 FPF Disciplinary Commission
Note 🗒️ ➡️ https://t.co/4KwJZUJNZR pic.twitter.com/YSW54sZpUH
— FEPAFUT (@fepafut) May 11, 2026
Scandal in Panamanian soccer
Calderón’s case was unleashed after the viralization of the own goal he scored in the 90th minute when the score was tied 2-2, sealing Sporting San Miguelito’s defeat against Alianza FC.
The action was so shocking that his own teammate Gustavo Herrera publicly accused him of match-fixing on social networks, while team coach Julio César Dely Valdés pointed out that the match was strange from the first minute. Calderón later issued a statement where he rejected the accusations and expressed his willingness to collaborate with the investigations.
With the provisional suspension confirmed, the goalkeeper’s future remains uncertain until the authorities conclude the investigations and issue a final resolution on his sporting situation. The Panamanian Football Federation has not revealed specific details about the events investigated beyond the match against Alianza FC, although the case could lead to a definitive and broader sanction depending on the results of the ongoing investigation.