Thursday 22 February 2018

Match fixing: Ministry to probe deeper after players released without charge

February 22, 2018

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is looking to unearth proof over the alleged match-fixing of the Sarawak-Felcra United FC match.

Its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said solid evidence is needed to establish if there was a connection between the two state football players and a man alleged to be a bookie.

“We must get solid evidence to show a connection between both parties. If there is evidence to be found, I feel it is better that we part ways (with the two players),” he told reporters after attending the Sarawak Arts Congress 2018 here yesterday.

Abdul Karim was commenting on the release of the two players and the alleged bookie on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) bail yesterday without any charges being filed against them.

The players, aged 28 and 29, and the 34-year-old alleged bookie were detained on Feb 14 and remanded for six days the following day for investigation under Section 16(a) of the MACC Act 2009.

Abdul Karim, meanwhile, urged the state football team not to be distracted by the matter and instead focus on doing well in their next game.

“Many people want to see our team rise, not fall. Our players must remember that they are ambassadors of our state,” he said.

When asked if the alleged match-fixing was due to players having problems with their salary and incentives, the minister said he had never heard of such problems.

“This is about intention. If they (players) don’t have good intention, they will sell out even if they are very well paid.” -TheBorneoPost
 

No comments:

Post a Comment