The possible motive for the murder of the president of a Colombian soccer club could be related to a debt accrued from betting.
Unidentified assailants murdered Edgar Paez after the Colombian soccer team Tigres FC suffered its latest defeat this past Saturday. Although the motive is still unclear, some believe the hit may have resulted from outstanding sports betting debt.
The photo shows the late Edgar Paez, former President of Tigres FC, who was killed by unknown assailants after a game on Saturday. (Image: Noticias Caracol)
According to local news source El Tiempo, Paez was killed on Saturday by hired killers following his team’s 3-2 loss to Atlético FC.
As Saturday’s game ended, Paez was exiting the stadium with his wife and daughter when two individuals on a motorcycle unexpectedly appeared. They shot at him three times (although some reports state four shots), striking him in the chest, neck, and head.
Following the assault, first responders transported Paez to a nearby medical facility. Upon arrival, he displayed minimal vital signs. Despite numerous efforts to revive him, he succumbed to his injuries a few hours afterwards.
Theories Emerge
For several years, Paez had served as the president of the club and gained recognition for his efforts in promoting soccer in Colombia. Recently, he announced that the club’s value had increased to COP700 million (US$171,850). He owned 49% of the club, while the remaining shares were divided among his relatives and acquaintances.
Paez served on the board of directors for the Independiente de Santa Fe club, potentially establishing early connections to the recent attack. According to two presidents of Colombian first division soccer clubs, Paez was involved in sports betting. However, this information has not been confirmed by other sources.
Prior to assuming control of Tigres FC in the past seven years, Paez worked as an investigator for the Administrative Department of Security. The former government security agency was disbanded in 2011.
During his initial tenure as president of Santa Fe, Eduardo Méndez reportedly reached out to Paez as a potential investor for the club, as reported by local media. This occurred between 2004 and 2007, a period in which there were suspicions that funds from drug trafficking were being funneled into the club.
In the year 2010, authorities uncovered a group of offenders who had utilized a club to conceal the profits from their illicit drug activities. Numerous individuals, including a previously convicted drug trafficker from the United States, were apprehended during the bust.
Investigation Continues
Those who are closest to Paez, such as his spouse, other family members, and friends, refute any claims that the assault was connected to illicit behavior. They maintain that Paez was not involved in anything unethical or suspicious and was a respected member of the community and the soccer world.
During the initial stages of the investigation, officials have identified twelve public surveillance cameras. It is reported that the police have already identified the motorcycle used by the attackers in the assault.
These names have not yet become public.
There is a possibility that the assassination of the president of a Colombian soccer club may be linked to a debt from betting, as reported by Casino.org.
