Cameroon football governing body, FECAFOOT, have said that they would investigate claims that seven of their players were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup in Brazil.
The football federation released a statement indicating that their ethics committee would probe claims of ‘fraud’ by ‘seven bad apples’ in the country’s three Group A matches after it emerged a convicted fraudster from Singapore, correctly predicted they’d lose 4-0 and have a man sent off against Croatia in Manuas on June 18.
The allegations were made in a German news magazine, Der Spiegel, by convicted match fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal, from Singapore.
In the said match, Alex Song was sent off before half-time for elbowing Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic, while the game was also marred by an incident deep into the second half as Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butted team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo.
The FECAFOOT statement read: “Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon’s 2014 FIFA World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon vs. 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, in line with FIFA Code of Conduct and the ethics of our nation.
“We wish to inform the general public that, though not yet contacted by FIFA in regards to this affair, our administration has already instructed its Ethics Committee, to further investigate these accusations.
“We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.
“In the meantime we legitimately request that any related information, unless brought before our federation and/or its Ethics Committee, be held for or treated as mere assumption.
“We wish to reinstate that in fifty-five (55) years of existence, FECAFOOT has never been sanctioned for, involved in, or even linked to match fixing or any fraud of any kind.”
World governing body, FIFA remained silent on Tuesday regarding allegations that Cameroon players played a part in fixing the results of their World Cup group matches.
Head of Media, Delia Fischer, said that the world governing body would not comment at this stage in line with its usual policy as it does not want to compromise any possible investigations.
Quoting FIFA’s article 88 and 36, Fischer justified the ruling body’s silence on the matter.
“As we have said consistently – prior to the FIFA World Cup and now during it – we do not provide any comments as to whether or not an investigation is underway with regard to any alleged manipulation in any match, amongst others so as not to compromise any possible investigations.”
She, however, insisted that the integrity of the game was a top priority for FIFA and as such, any allegations of match manipulation is taken very seriously.
“FIFA continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies as well as the respective public authorities and other sports organisations on a national, regional and global level to tackle the issue of match manipulation.
“We encourage anyone with information about any suspicious matches to contact relevant authorities such as through FIFA’s integrity hotline or e-mail address and confidential reporting system”, she said.
Meanwhile, the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), which works closely with FIFA and police on match-fixing and related security issues, have questioned the match-fixing allegations surrounding the seven Cameroon World Cup players.
ICSS Director of Sport Integrity,Chris Eaton, FIFA’s former Head of Security said that his organisation was still taking the allegations very seriously and was of the opinion Perumal had also given some “disinformation”.
Eaton said, “The ICSS is aware of the allegation first reported by Der Spiegel that Wilson Raj Perumal, a well-known and convicted match-fixer, apparently accurately predicted the outcome of a specific match result and foul outcome for a game at the FIFA World Cup, using a Facebook account.
“If it is confirmed that the advice from Perumal was made before the match and is accurate to the overall result and red card, then this allegation will no doubt be treated extremely seriously by football, governments and beyond.
“The Cameroon match-fixing case is a grave allegation with an alleged and strong indication of pre-match knowledge from a well-known match-fixer.
“Therefore, in my view, this case should command a swift, strong and, most importantly, an international and coordinated investigation to clear the air in the interest of football and all concerned.”
Cameroon’s build up to the tournament in Brazil was marred by the players refusing to board a plane to Brazil until a dispute over bonus payments had been settled.
A financial package was eventually agreed with Cameroon’s football federation, FECAFOOT, but the squad’s journey to the World Cup had been delayed for almost a day.
They started the tournament with a 1-0 defeat by Mexico prior to the loss to Croatia and being beaten 4-1 by hosts Brazil.
