Friday 17 February 2012

FAM seek clarification from FIFA over match fixing allegations

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) have written to FIFA head of security Chris Eaton to verify his statement in a Singapore daily yesterday, which reported that FAM officials were involved in match-fixing.

Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, the FAM general secretary, said they viewed the matter seriously and were surprised by the press statement.

“We in FAM are shocked by the report and have asked Eaton to clarify his statement and to provide us with evidences if there were any basis in his allegations against our officials,” said Azzuddin yesterday.

“It is quite damaging to point at our FAM officials … because it can imply our president or the deputy president. It is not appropriate. It is sad. We are doing our best to curb match-fixing in the country,” said a disappointed Azzuddin.

Eaton, in his statement, had also revealed that one of the Singapore Lions XII matches in the Super League was fixed.

Last week, the FAM suspended 11 youth players from the President Cup (national Under-20 league) and banned a coach for life for fixing matches. On Monday, FAM revealed that they had more leads into match-fixing with three M-League teams currently under investigation.

Last May, Eaton had told FAM during his visit to Wisma FAM that several Malaysians were involved in match-fixing scandals in Germany, Finland and Singapore and that investigations pointed to a significant bookie connection in Kuala Lumpur.

At the same time, FAM were cleared of any wrongdoing by FIFA in their probe into a suspected global network in match-fixing. Eaton, a former Interpol officer, ruled out any foul play in the FAM’s involvement in a friendly international matches against a visiting Zimbabwe side in 2009.

Since then, FAM had stepped up their efforts to eradicate match-fixing by setting up a vetting, monitoring and transparency committee headed by Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat.

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