West Ham's Alvarez accused of selling fake Covid certificates

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 08:57 · Archive

West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez has been accused of selling false Covid-19 vaccination certificates during the pandemic.

West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez and his former father-in-law Jonathan Toache Bedolla have been accused by Mexican filmmaker Juan Jose Lopez Ordonez of selling counterfeit Covid-19 vaccination certificates during the pandemic. Ordonez made the allegation at a press conference on Thursday, claiming the fake documents were sold for upwards of £370 each and included official stamps, signatures and functioning QR codes.

According to Ordonez, the scheme allowed high-profile figures to travel abroad while bypassing Covid-19 restrictions. Ordonez said he had personally witnessed the forgery network in operation. He told the press conference: 'The moral burden is very heavy, and here I am facing the music. If I bear any responsibility, the authorities will determine that, but I can no longer hide this.'

Alvarez is also accused of involvement alongside Bedolla and an unnamed doctor. This is the second public accusation Ordonez has made against the player in recent weeks. In September, Ordonez claimed that Bedolla's family had forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint in Mexico City in 2024, alleging Alvarez knew about the kidnapping despite not being directly involved. Alvarez strenuously denied that accusation. Mexican outlet El Financiero reported that scrutiny of Alvarez's alleged involvement in the vaccination scheme intensified after a list of public figures who purportedly purchased the certificates was leaked.

How it is being reported

• Former Premier League star accused of selling fake Covid vaccination certificatesFormer Premier League star Edson Alvarez has been accused of selling fake Covid vaccination certificates. Mexican filmmaker Juan Jose Lopez Ordonez accused the midfielder and his former father-in-law, Jonathan Toache Bedolla, of selling the documents for upwards of £370 a piece. The allegation, made at a press conference on Thursday, is the second time Ordonez has publicly targeted the Hammers player in recent weeks. In September, the film producer claimed Bedolla's family had forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint in Mexico City in 2024, alleging Alvarez knew about the kidnapping despite not…GB News · 23 Oct, 08:39
• West Ham star Edson Alvarez accused of selling fake Covid-19 certificates in 'illicit' scheme during the pandemic along with his former father-in-law... just weeks after kidnapping allegationWest Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez and his former father-in-law have been accused of selling false Covid-19 vaccination certificates during the pandemic.Daily Mail Sport · 22 Oct, 23:36

In this story: Edson Alvarez · Jonathan Toache Bedolla · Juan Jose Lopez Ordonez · West Ham · Mexico City

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