In a match on the final matchday of the 2026 Clausura Tournament of the Panamanian League, goalkeeper José “Chepo” Calderón, 40 years old and a World Cup player with Panama at Russia 2018, was involved in a very strange play.
In the 90th minute, with the score 2-2 between Sporting San Miguelito and Alianza FC, Calderón caught the ball near the post and fell backward into his own goal with the ball in his hands.
The referee ruled it an own goal, giving Alianza a 3-2 victory. This defeat allowed Alianza to qualify for the semifinals. The play went viral because of how strange it looked and sparked strong suspicions of match-fixing.
Both the League and Calderón’s own club called for an investigation. The Panamanian Football Federation reacted quickly and imposed a six-month suspension from all football activity as a preventive measure while the case is investigated. Calderón has not yet spoken publicly about what happened.
You can watch the bizarre play here: