By Andrew Warshaw
May 28 – Twenty-four hours after UEFA and Europol signed a key agreement to tackle match-fixing head-on, the spotlight has immediately fallen on tonight’s friendly between Scotland and Nigeria, one of a string of World Cup warm-up games.
The Scottish Football Association has reportedly been contacted by the National Crime Agency, Britain’s equivalent to the FBI which investigates serious offences, about a potential threat to the game to be played tonight at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground in west London.
Few details have emerged but the SFA released a statement saying it is liaising with the relevant authorities. Whilst there is no suggestion any of the players are involved, there are fears that illegal betting syndicates in Asia could be involved.
In a statement, FIFA said it was “aware” of the concerns surrounding tonight’s game.
“Generally speaking, we are not in a position to comment or provide information on any match-manipulation investigations that are ongoing so as not to compromise investigations, nor do we provide any comments as to whether or not any investigations are under way,” FIFA said.
“It would only be after a decision has been taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee or FIFA ethics committee and first notified to the parties concerned that FIFA would be in a position to communicate the contents of that decision publicly.”
Nigeria has been embroiled in several alleged match-fixing scandals in recent years, including a 2010 World Cup warmup game against Kenya in Nairobi. Most of the claims have been linked to Wilson Raj Perumal, the world’s most notorious fixer.
Nigeria’s coach, Stephen Keshi, insisted his team knew nothing about the latest case. “We are not here to fix any game, we always fight to uphold the integrity of our country, my players are fighting for World Cup slots and are focussed on the game, so count us out of any manipulation,” he said.
World Cup teams are reportedly to undergo special integrity briefings while matches themselves will be monitored by FIFA’s Early Warning System in real time to see if there are any strange, odd movements in order to identify any rigging.
Chris Eaton, FIFA’s former director of security and now one of the main corruption busters at the International Centre for Sport Security, welcomed the latest NCA initiative.
“Preventative investigations like this, working before a match-fix, rather than retrospectively, are a very welcome approach,” the Australian told Sky. “I’d assume, and I’m only assuming here, they have information, very good information, and they are acting on that.”
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