Corruption in Puebla and coaches dropping like flies

The Federacion Mexicana de Futbol is investigating whether Puebla cheated on its way to a promotion into the Mexican first division last season. The plot sounds like something out of a movie. It involves recently disclosed conversations between Roberto Ruiz Esparza, a former Puebla player turned political candidate and Emilio Maurer, a former counselor for Puebla where both discussed contacting the coach of Dorados of Culiacan, Puebla´s opponent in the final match for the promotion spot, asking him to rig the game in Puebla´s favor.

Here are some interesting side notes in the puebla case:
-Five Dorado players left the team´s squad before the final match against Puebla because of salary issues.
-Dorados introduced a unexperienced younger player into the squad for its final match against Puebla.
-Esparza was hoping to incorporate Puebla´s rise to the first division into his political campaign.

Naturally both men deny having such talks and Puebla has distanced itself from Maurer saying he´s not a part of the organization.

In other news, all three Guadalajara´s first division teams have changed coaches this season.

UAG Tecos: The Tecos are on the rise since bringing in Argentine coaching legend Menotti after having recently defeated Monarcas and Monterrey. The team seems a shadow of its old self when it was near the bottom of relegation fight.

Atlas Tomas Boy was presented as Atlas´s new coach late last month after the former coach Ruben Romano was fired for starting the season nine games without a win. Atlas is the worst team in the Mexican league and will be looking for its first win this weekend against Tecos.

Chivas de Guadalajara Former coach Jose Manuel ¨Chepo¨de la Torre was seen as too defensive minded and was replaced with Efrain Flores whom Chivas hopes will live up to their offensive philosopy.

Then there´s the Monterrey Saga:

Monterrey Fired former coach Herrera after he lost the city´s classico against UANL Tigres and was blown away by Tecos 0-3 away.

UANL Tigres Tigres number 10 Walter Gaitan deserted the team this week after he cracked from the building pressure of a disspointing season. The directors of the team also decided to send Jimmy Lozano to a lower division team until he fixes his bad attitude. Surprisingly, coach Tolo Gallego has come out publicly against the directors saying he was not in favor of Lozanos´s demotion from the team.