Thursday 23 February 2012

FIFA official Eaton to clarify statement about match-fixing

FIFA head of security Chris Eaton has an appointment with the FA of Malaysia (FAM) in Kuala Lumpur next month.

FAM general secretary Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad confirmed that Eaton would be in town on March 5 to clarify his statement to a Singapore daily that FAM officials were involved in match-fixing.

“We received an email from Eaton today with regards to his appointment with the FAM on March 5. He is also seeking an appointment with the Youth and Sports Minister (Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek),” said Azzuddin yesterday.

FAM are upset with Eaton for speaking to the press last May despite FIFA’s decision to communicate all matters pertaining to match-fixing with the respective national associations.

Eaton, who described Malaysia and Singapore as centres of interest for match-fixing, had also revealed that one of the Singapore Lions XII matches in the Super League was fixed.

Earlier this month, the FAM suspended 11 youth players from the President’s Cup (national Under-20 league) and banned a coach for life for match-fixing. FAM later revealed that they had more leads into match-fixing, with three M-League teams still under investigation.

Eaton had told FAM during his visit to Wisma FAM last May 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.

Since then, FAM have stepped up their efforts to eradicate the menace by setting up a vetting, monitoring and transparency committee headed by Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat.

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