West Ham's Edson Alvarez faces fresh Covid-19 fraud claims
On a crisp October morning outside the London Stadium, West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy. By BEN WILLCOCKS, ASSISTANT, 22 October 2026, the player was accused of selling false Covid-19 vaccination certificates during the pandemic. The allegation adds to a string of serious claims surrounding the Mexican international.
Kidnapping claim and new Covid-19 fraud accusation
Filmmaker Juan Jose Lopez Ordonez told Mexican outlet TV Notas in September that the family of Alvarez's former father‑in‑law Jonathan Toache Bedolla forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint in Mexico City in 2024. Ordonez said the West Ham star was aware of the kidnapping, although he was not directly involved.
Alvarez, who strenuously denied any involvement in the kidnapping, has now been accused of falsifying Covid-19 certificates alongside Bedolla and an unnamed doctor. The trio allegedly produced documents that bore official stamps, signatures and QR codes.
Alleged certificate‑for‑sale scheme and its fallout
At a press conference on Thursday, Ordonez claimed the operation sold fake certificates for upwards of $500 (£370) each. "The moral burden is very heavy, and here I am facing the music," he said, adding that authorities would decide his responsibility.
The scheme is said to have enabled several high‑profile Mexican figures to travel abroad, bypassing pandemic restrictions. Names leaked include fashion model Montserrat Oliver, actress Yolanda Andrade, musician Jay de la Cueva and actor Alfredo Adame.
Falsifying public‑health documents is a federal crime in Mexico, and officials may launch an official investigation. Sport has approached Alvarez for comment; he responded, "I categorically reject any allegation or attempt to associate my name with events, conflicts, or conduct that are entirely unrelated to me."
West Ham, who sit second in the Championship, are gearing up to face Southampton at the London Stadium on Saturday. The Mexican has not featured in a single Championship matchday squad this season, having failed to secure a move away from the Hammers this summer.