FIFA Expels Atlético San Cristóbal from the LDF for Match Manipulation
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has announced the immediate expulsion of Atlético San Cristóbal from the Dominican Republic Football League (LDF) 2025-26 season. The decision is based on the confirmation of the club’s involvement in activities related to match manipulation. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee issued the sanction, communicated from Zurich, Switzerland. The team will be relegated to the LDF Expansion for the next season, according to Article 20 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which prohibits any alteration or corruption in official competitions.Furthermore, FIFA has instructed the Dominican Football Federation (Fedofutbol) to implement an educational prevention plan. This plan aims to combat match manipulation and strengthen the integrity of competitions in the country. The sanction comes at a critical moment for Atlético San Cristóbal, who are in one of their worst sporting campaigns. The team occupies the last place in the standings with only two points, the result of two draws and eleven defeats in thirteen games. This Saturday, the team was scheduled to face Moca FC. However, the expulsion has removed the team from the league schedule. The measure represents one of the most severe punishments a Dominican club has received recently and highlights the concern about the impact of illegal betting and match-fixing in national sports. FIFA, by demanding a prevention plan, emphasizes the need to strengthen control mechanisms, education, and transparency in Dominican football.“Atlético San Cristóbal club is expelled from the Dominican League (LDF) 2025-26 and the first team is relegated to the LDF Expansion starting next season for violating article 20 of the CDF, after participating in activities related to match manipulation,” the communication indicates.
