Match-fixing has reared its ugly head in Singapore's
S-League.
Liaoning Guangyuan general manager, Wang Xin, has been arrested on
match-fixing charges. Several players on the team are being
investigated for similar offences.
Singapore's anti-corruption body, the Corrupt Practices
Investigation Bureau (CPIB), said that Wang Xin will appear in
court next week on match-fixing charges.
Meanwhile, the CPIB are also investigating eight players from the
club for match-fixing offences.
Officials and players from the all-Chinese team were called up by
investigators last year.
It is believed that Wang allegedly offered bribes to players - in
an attempt to influence matches played in Singapore's domestic
league. Four-figure sums were reportedly offered to them.
Liaoning finished 10th out of 12 teams last season in the S-League,
after losing 20 out of 33 matches played. Other non-Singaporean
teams in the S-League include Albirex Niigata from Japan, and the
Super Reds from Korea.
It is not the first time the S-League have been plagued with
match-fixing scandals. In 2000, Geylang United goalkeeper Lutz
Pfannenstiel and Sembawang Rangers defender Mirko Jurilj were
jailed five months and recieved a global ban for the offence.
Last year, ex-Paya Lebar Punggol coach, Chow Kwai Lam was found
guilty of attempting to influence the outcome on an S-League match
in 2005. The Malaysian national was fined S$50,000 for ordering his
team's goalkeeper to let in goals during a game.
If Wang is found guilty, he will be banned from participating and
managing football in Singapore.
Saic S-League CEO Winston Lee: We take a serious view of any form
of corruption in the game. Match-fixing is a serious threat to the
credibility of the game.
The manager has been suspended from all forms of football
activities with immediate effect and he will be permanently banned
from participating and managing football in Singapore if he is
found guilty.
The FAS will also be recommending to the AFC and FIFA to extend
his life ban worldwide should that be the case.
We will remain alert to any match-fixing in the S-League. This
prosecution shows that the collective vigilant approach adopted in
Singapore is working.
