By Andrew Warshaw
May 20 – The timing could hardly be more embarrassing. Just days before the great and the good of world football roll into town for the FIFA Congress, the Indian ocean island of Mauritius – usually known more as a luxury holiday destination than for any major involvement with football – has been hit by a match-fixing scandal.
Dinnanathlall Persunnoo, president of the country’s football association, is being accused of rigging by Stanley United from the island’s second division. Persunnoo, according to local media reports, is alleged to have fixed results to determine issues of relegation and promotion.
Stanley United president Anzal Hossenbaccus recorded a telephone conversation he had with Persunnoo in which the pair recounted the events of the last day of the championship. According to the BBC, the recording was later broadcast on an independent radio station in Mauritius.
Hossenbaccus said: “Persunnoo explained how everything was calculated for the promotion and also for the relegation. Now our team [Stanley United] has been relegated to the Inter Regional Leagues whereas his team, Mahebourg Quartier, remain in the second division. We have now no alternative than to initiate a lawsuit against him and the MFA.”
Persunnoo has admitted a conversation did take place but has denied any wrongdoing. “I have not been involved in any case of match-fixing and was just joking during that conversation,” he said. “I did not use pressure and threats to wheel and deal matches.”
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