Alfred Pacheco, who used to represent El Slvador and had a stint with Major League Soccer side, New York Red Bulls, died on Sunday morning following an attack on him and his friends outside a gas station.
The incident took place at a gas station in the Santa Ana region of El Salvador. Alfred Pacheco receive three shots and died at the spot after losing too much blood. The 33 year old was a record appearance holder for his country and his murder has left the country sad and in a state of shock.
According to Fox Sports, which first broke the news of his death, reported that the former New York Red Bulls’ player was out with his friends and were stopping at a gas station to get their car refueled. And at that time the attacked came and brawled with Pacheco and friends. It was before dawn and around half past three, the other group, which was carrying guns with them, opened fire on Pacheco and friends. The former El Salvador player received three bullet to his body while his friends also got injured in the process. While Pacheco lost the battle and died, two of his friends who also received wounds, are reportedly alive and under treatment.
Alfred Pacheco made a record 86 appearances for his country. No other player has played more games for El Salvador than Pacheco. He has scored seven goals while wearing the national colors and his last goal came against Mexico during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification game.
On club level, Pacheco played for El Salvador famous soccer club, FAS (Club Deportivo Futbolistas Asociados Santanecos) from 2000 to 2010 making over 200 appearances for the club. It was in 2009 that he moved to MLS on load with New York Red Bulls. He also played soccer with spells at Águila and Isidro Metápan before eventually he was forced to hang up his boots due to an ongoing match fixing investigation against him and a few other players.
Eventually, he was banned along with 13 other players for alleged involvement in match fixing that rattled El Salvador football. Police has yet to issue a statement on the causes of the murder and it is yet to be seen if the murder to Pacheco was pre planned or not. Considering his involvement in the match fixing scandal, the authorities would not be ruling out the involvement of match fixing mafia in Pacheco’s murder.
Along with Jamaica and Honduras, El Salvador is among the least safe place for footballers according to a report. The country has been troubled by firearm murders for decades now and more than three quarters of all murders in the country are down to the use of firearms.
Major League Soccer side, New York Red Bulls, expressed their grief over the murder of their former player. A tweet from club’s official page offered their condolences. The tweet read, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Alfredo Pacheco’s family & friends. #RBNY.”
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