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Friday, March 29, 2024

Nepalese confirms match-fixing

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ONE of five former and current members of the Nepal national football team have confessed and admitted that he and his teammates were involved in game-fixing, including friendly games with the Philippine Azkals and Malaysia back in the 2011.

Goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa told police investigators in Nepal of his involvement following his arrest last week, admitting he received money for his involvement in fixing some games.

He said it was his teammate KC Anjar, who made arrangements when he went to Manila and Kuala Lumpur before their games with the Philippine Azkals and the Malaysian national men’s football team.

“Anjar visited Manila and Kuala Lumpur. We decided to fix matches as we concluded that they were just friendly matches,” said Thapa in his confession which was published by goalnepal.com.

Thapa said he was told that they will get good money for doing so.

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“We are to lose the matches against the Philippines and Malaysia. Anjar said we will get good money, and we did the same,” Thapa told probers.

The Azkals won against Nepal, 4-0, at the Rizal Football Stadium in Manila,  back in 2011.

Aside from Thapa, also arrested were team captain Sagar Thapa, Sandip Rai, Bikash Singh Chhetri and Anjan KC, who admitted that they had been involved in alleged match-fixing since 2008.

Former national coach Graham Roberts also admitted there was match fixing during a friendly game with the Philippine Azkals way back in 2011.

Probers said that a bookie from Singapore was also involved in fixing the match against the Philippines.

Formal investigations in Nepal have been launched since Thursday week.

Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation is set to launch appropriate disciplinary proceedings, according to a statement from AFC secretary general Windsor John.

John said the AFC has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards match-fixing.

Investigators also discovered that a 2012 Nehru Cup match involving Nepal and Cameroon played in Delhi was also fixed.

Thapa also reportedly confessed to the local police that the team was promised a sum of $100,000 if they lose by a 4-0 score to Cameroon.

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