During the program Panorama Deportivo on Radio Internacional, former Honduran international assistant referee Omar Leiva revealed that he was the target of an attempted bribery in a Honduran semi-final, involving Oscar Velasquez, who is currently the president of the National Referees Committee. “The decision to do what I am doing now was not easy. I am asking my colleagues to endorse something. I was putting myself at risk for not accepting $10,000 offered for a match: $5,000 for Oscar Velasquez, now the president of the Referees Committee, and $5,000 for Omar Leiva and the evidence is here”. The bribe came from the leaders of Real Sociedad Tocoa, which had lost 2-0 in the first leg of the 2013 Apertura tournament final against Real Espana and needed the same score in the second leg to have chances to reach the final. “They called me on the phone through a friend and they told me they were going to send me money to help the team obtain at least a draw. The money was given, but I immediately rejected it and returned it to the person who brought it to me. “That same offer was received by Oscar Velasquez, but I don't know whether he returned it or not. Regarding the other match officials of the game, referee Melvin Matamoros and fourth official Eric Andino, I do not know whether they were offered or brought the same money, but what happened to me shows that football is not fair in Honduras. I wrote a note declaring this to the National League and the College of Coaches and we need the Federation to clean up our national football. This decision was made by me with my family and we are aware of the risks. However, there are colleagues, such as Melvin Cruz and Marlon Diaz, fitness trainers, former colleagues from the Referees Committee, active referees, who have called to support me”. In the final part of the program, Leiva announced his retirement from refereeing. "I will not referee again in the National League, but everything that I have denounced happened in our refereeing", concluded Omar Leiva. (Source: Inter)
The day after he publicly exposed the corruption in the Honduran football, Omar Leiva received several death threats and decided to leave the country: "this was expected to come and I made the decision to leave the country for my own safety since the Referees Committee has exposed me even more than I already was". He later explained that he had received very strong threats yesterday. "When I was in my vehicle, a black truck crossed my way, intercepted me and threatened to stop my car". He continued by saying "They told me that enough is enough and they located me. I knew that this could come and I made the decision to leave the country." He then lashed out at the Referees Committee. "The irresponsible, cowardly authorities of my country published something to make me look like a liar, which I am not. They say that my evidence is not conclusive, so in this country I don't think there is justice and the best thing for my safety and that of my family is to leave", explained the Honduran referee. When asked if he had been threatened with weapons or something like that, the referee answered "they yelled at me, they lowered the window and yelled trash, enough is enough, and what else I want. I am alive because God has kept me and my family alive". The referee revealed details and alleged serious threats that referee colleagues have experienced. "There are cowardly colleagues who were grabbed by the neck in the dressing rooms by armed people and they have not made any statements, they have not said it in the media, they have been told scoundrels in front of their honest colleagues and they just lowered their heads", Leiva said. The referee then requested the resignation of the main officials in charge of refereeing in the country, including the National Referees Committee. "They should resign, so they will not ruin the career of other referees. Let's get out of this for the sake of refereeing, for the sake of football, it is not possible for the rogues to stay in power and those of us who say no to a bribe endangering our lives and those of our families", concluded Omar Leiva in his radio intervention. (Source: Inter)
