CBI to probe five Indian Football clubs linked with fixing

 CBI to probe five Indian Football clubs linked with fixing

I-League Team (Image Credit: Twitter)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the match-fixing in Indian Football. Apparently, it has emerged that a notorious fixer has invested a huge sum in five clubs. In response to this, the CBI visited the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in Delhi last week. The bureau has asked for the details of the clubs and their investor’s backgrounds.

It is reported that CBI is investigating Singapore-based match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal. He was first jailed for match-fixing in Singapore in 1995 and convicted in Finland and Hungary as well. It is reported that he has invested in Indian clubs through Living 3D Holdings Ltd. The man in question is known to rig games across levels. It is believed that he has rigged games in the Olympics, World Cup qualifiers, women’s World Cup, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and African Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, AIFF has said that they have a zero-tolerance policy towards match-fixing. They have also stated that they have asked all the clubs to cooperate with the investigations.

“The AIFF has zero tolerance towards match-fixing and we have written to the clubs asking them to cooperate with the investigation,” AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran told TOI on Saturday. “There are concerns about investments made by shell companies linked to the fixer. We will do whatever is needed to ensure that Indian football has no links with anyone remotely connected with match-fixing.”

We can’t really understand how Indian Arrows ended up in fixing net: AIFF

Apparently, five clubs that are under the scanner play in the I-League. One of them is the Indian Arrows. Notably, the club is funded by the Odisha government and AIFF. The AIFF have expressed their shock over the development

“We can’t really understand how Indian Arrows are among the five clubs. The Arrows were funded by the AIFF and the Odisha government and did not have any foreign players or foreign staff (for the past four years). It could possibly be some individuals associated with the team,” said another official.

Steven

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