FIFA lets Cameroon lead match-fixing probe
Croatia’s 4-0 drubbing, Song’s sending off under investigation.
RIO DE JANEIRO:
Fifa said that it will let Cameroon football authorities lead the hunt for ‘seven bad apples’ in the national team who have been linked to match-fixing at the World Cup.
The Cameroon federation has said it is determined to ‘employ all means necessary’ to uncover any wrongdoing around the African country’s group game against Croatia.
But a former head of Fifa security said convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, who made the allegations against Cameroon, has also provided ‘disinformation’.
The Cameroon Football Federation said its ethics committee was looking into Perumal’s allegations, reported by Der Spiegel magazine, that he correctly forecast the 4-0 victory by Croatia and that a player would be sent off.
Fifa has refused to comment on the case or whether its security department is investigating. Fifa President Sepp Blatter confirmed he has been told about the allegations.
“Yes I have been told about this but let them do their work on this investigation,” he told the British news agency Press Association in Rio de Janeiro.
The Cameroon federation gave no details of its hunt to add to its statement which announced the ethics commission inquiry.
“Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon’s 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the ‘existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]’ do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration,” it said.
“We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.”
The match raised eyebrows when Barcelona star Alex Song was dismissed for a bizarre elbow assault to the back of Mario Mandzukic in the 40th minute.
Singapore gambler denies fixing
Notorious Singapore match-fixer Wilson Perumal denied he had predicted the result of the Cameroon, Croatia World Cup game which is now under investigation.
“At no time did I make a reference to four goals being scored or to a red card being issued,” said Perumal.
“I am shocked and amazed that a respected magazine such as Der Spiegel would go so far as to fabricate statements.
“I apologise to the Cameroon Football Federation and to its fans if I offended them; it was not my intention.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2014.
Fifa said that it will let Cameroon football authorities lead the hunt for ‘seven bad apples’ in the national team who have been linked to match-fixing at the World Cup.
The Cameroon federation has said it is determined to ‘employ all means necessary’ to uncover any wrongdoing around the African country’s group game against Croatia.
But a former head of Fifa security said convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, who made the allegations against Cameroon, has also provided ‘disinformation’.
The Cameroon Football Federation said its ethics committee was looking into Perumal’s allegations, reported by Der Spiegel magazine, that he correctly forecast the 4-0 victory by Croatia and that a player would be sent off.
Fifa has refused to comment on the case or whether its security department is investigating. Fifa President Sepp Blatter confirmed he has been told about the allegations.
“Yes I have been told about this but let them do their work on this investigation,” he told the British news agency Press Association in Rio de Janeiro.
The Cameroon federation gave no details of its hunt to add to its statement which announced the ethics commission inquiry.
“Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon’s 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the ‘existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]’ do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration,” it said.
“We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.”
The match raised eyebrows when Barcelona star Alex Song was dismissed for a bizarre elbow assault to the back of Mario Mandzukic in the 40th minute.
Singapore gambler denies fixing
Notorious Singapore match-fixer Wilson Perumal denied he had predicted the result of the Cameroon, Croatia World Cup game which is now under investigation.
“At no time did I make a reference to four goals being scored or to a red card being issued,” said Perumal.
“I am shocked and amazed that a respected magazine such as Der Spiegel would go so far as to fabricate statements.
“I apologise to the Cameroon Football Federation and to its fans if I offended them; it was not my intention.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2014.