El Salvador Bans 14 Soccer Players For Life For Role In Alleged Match-Fixing Scandal

FILE - In this June 19, 2011 file photo, El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes lowers his head after failing to stop a shot during penalty kicks in a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match against Panama at RFK Stadium in Washington. El Salvador's football federation announced on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013 it has suspended 22 of their players, included Montes, in an investigation into alleged match-fixing in games by the national team from 2010 to 2012. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File) (A2011)

14 Salvadoran national-team players have been banned for life for their role in alleged match-fixing, including games against the United States and Mexico.

Among those banned Friday from all soccer activities Friday were goalkeepers Miguel Montes and Dagoberto Portillo, Christian Castillo — a former DC United player — and William Osael Romero, who played for Chivas USA.

The bans are connected with suspected match-fixing in four matches involving the national team, including a 2-1 loss in an exhibition against the U.S. in 2010 and the 5-0 loss to Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup.

Last month, 22 players received one-month suspensions while the games were investigated. El Salvador has no national team matches planned in the coming months as it investigates the scandal.

National team coach Agustín Alberto Castillo said his next squad would be made up mainly of junior players.

"It would not be prudent to call up players that have been investigated," Castillo said.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.