Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has reminded all quarters including football players involved in the Malaysia Cup campaign which begins on Sept to uphold integrity.
He said they must not be involved in selling away matches or get trapped in the bookie menace in order to protect the image of Malaysian football.
“We have seen now the revival of Malaysian football and the spirited support it is receiving from local football fans and the public. “Hence, we should not bring disrepute to the game by cooperating with gambling syndicates or bookies who are into fixing matches as this will adversely affect the support and trust of fans and also the nation’s football reputation.”
Ahmad Shabery told this at a presentation of Ramadan contributions and breaking of fast with residents of Kemasik at the Kemasik Jamek Mosque, here, last night.
He said his ministry would be monitoring the situation and would not hesitate to take action including lodging police reports if there were any football team or player involved in the immoral activity of match fixing.
Ahmad Shabery, who is also the member of parliament for Kemaman, also urged players and coaches to immediately lodge a police report if they are approached by such syndicates.
“Don’t gamble away the future of our nation’s football just for money and personal interest. We need to keep up the Malaysian football momentum for it to reach a higher level,” he said.
Negeri Sembilan’s President Cup team coach Yusarman Yusof was reported to be charged in the Seremban Sessions Court on 21 counts of fixing matches, while a Singapore businessman was arrested as he was believed to be a bookie who was involved in fixing a match involving the President Cup’s T-Team last season.
T-Team coach Sufian Ngah was also charged in the Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court on six counts of giving a RM5,000 bribe to six players from the squad for the purpose of fixing the result of a match against Pahang last year.
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