jamiefitz Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28102841 World Cup 2014: Cameroon investigates match-fixing claims Cameroon officials are to investigate claims that seven of their players were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup in Brazil. The ethics committee of the African country's football federation will look at allegations of "fraud" by "seven bad apples" in their three group games. The allegations have been made in a German news magazine Der Spiegel by a convicted match-fixer from Singapore. Cameroon lost all their Group A games, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia. The Indomitable Lions had Alex Song sent off for lashing out at Mario Mandzukic in that game, while team-mates Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo clashed late on in the game. Play media Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Highlights: Cameroon 0-4 Croatia The allegations were made by convicted football match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, who was detained by police in Finland in April on an international arrest warrant. In a discussion with Der Spiegel, the Singaporean correctly forecast the result with Croatia and that a player would be sent off. A statement from Cameroon's FA read: "Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus 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's code of conduct and the ethics of our nation. "We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays." The investigation will form part of a wider inquiry ordered by the country's president, Paul Biya, into the team's poor performance at the World Cup. Senior betting industry sources have told BBC Sport there has been no suspicious betting activity around Cameroon's games - or any other at this World Cup. Fifa did not comment on whether it was looking into the issue as football's world governing body did not want to "compromise any possible investigations". It did, however, add: "Speaking generally, the integrity of the game is a top priority for Fifa and as such we take any allegations of match manipulation very seriously." A closer look at the match fixer Wilson Raj Perumal from Singapore is a convicted match fixer In a book published in April, Perumal claims he arranged for players from one team at the Beijing Olympics to ensure their side took the kick-off in two separate matches The book also alleges Perumal influenced qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa Read more on Perumal 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. "Some players behaved very badly, and that's why we have conceded four goals," Cameroon head coach Volker Finke told French newspaper L'Equipe after the Croatia defeat. "I know that it is difficult to play with 10 men, but that is not a reason to lose it to this point. "The game was balanced until the red card. The Croatians were more clinical in front of goal, but Cameroon also had chances to score. "The behaviour of some of the players is really not satisfactory. Even when we were 11-a-side, it was not acceptable." Fellow African nation Ghana is also involved in allegations over corruption. The country's Football Association has called in the police to investigate the claims, although the GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi is to sue the Daily Telegraph newspaper over its claim he agreed for the national team to play in matches others were preparing to fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigkillie Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 In a book published in April, Perumal claims he arranged for players from one team at the Beijing Olympics to ensure their side took the kick-off in two separate matches The only way you can take the kick-off is by losing the toss at the start of the game. I'm not sure how players could control that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 The only way you can take the kick-off is by losing the toss at the start of the game. I'm not sure how players could control that. Indeed. Though I'd expect most teams when winning a toss would choose an end, rather than to take kick off. You were really just increasing your odds here if this was true, by knowing if one side won the toss they'd take kick off. The other side winning the toss would likely not do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigkillie Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 You can't choose to kick-off any more - that was changed a while ago. The team who wins the toss gets to choose ends, and the other team kicks off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_B Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 You can't choose to kick-off any more - that was changed a while ago. The team who wins the toss gets to choose ends, and the other team kicks off. Ah sorry, didn't know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambomo Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I wonder if they will come out and say who the seven players are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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