By Andrew Warshaw
May 27 – Corruption in Asian football has spread to the Maldives islands, with the Asian Football Confederation warning the local federation risked being suspended for unilaterally launching an investigation into alleged misconduct in selling AFC Challenge Cup tickets.
Scuffles broke out when fans were unable to buy tickets for today’s semifinals amid accusations that officials were selling them on the black market at inflated prices. The semis of the competition, for developing Asian nations, pit Maldives against the Philippines and Afghanistan against Palestine, with the eventual champions earning a place at next year’s Asian Cup.
The local news service reported that only 150 tickets were made available to the public and that Maldives anti-corruption officials were investigating.
But an AFC statement said: “Since the jurisdiction to investigate any misconduct remains exclusively with the AFC and FIFA, if any domestic investigative authority attempts to intervene in the affairs of AFC or in any tournament conducted by AFC in partnership with FAM, the Republic of Maldives, as a member of AFC and FIFA is at risk of being penalised for such intervention, including suspension from international events and tournaments.”
Maldives FA president Ilham Ahmed told local media that about 50,000 people wanted tickets but that only 8,000 could be accommodated in the stadium in the capital Male. He denied accusations of wrongdoing but admitted federation staff were entitled to three tickets each, with members of the public being allowed to purchase up to two per person. Ahmed also revealed the AFC had called him to check if it was safe to continue the tournament amid concerns over security at the national stadium.
The ticket row comes after five players and two officials of the Afghan national team were injured in a bus crash at the weekend. Preliminary indications suggested the accident was caused by a motorcyclist under the influence of narcotics.
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