By Andrew Warshaw in London
March 3 – Asian football supremo Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (pictured) has reiterated the dangers of match fixing following the suspicious World Cup qualifier between Indonesia and Bahrain on Wednesday.
FIFA have launched a “routine” investigation into Bahrain’s 10-0 victory over a weakened Indonesia team.
Bahrain needed a nine-goal swing to advance to next stage of the Asian qualifying competition if Qatar lost to Iran on the same night.
In the end, the Qataris scored a dramatic 83rd-minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw in Tehran to edge out Bahrain.
Speaking at a media round table here, Prince Ali, vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), declined to comment directly on the unusual pattern of both games but said he supported measures to stamp out match fixing which has its roots in Southeast Asia.
“Match fixing is a huge issue that needs to be tackled,” he said.
“We will have to see what the investigation comes out with.
“But it has to be taken very seriously regardless of what region it is played in.
“It is a world issue, not just simply in the Asian region.”
FIFA and UEFA have been constantly trying to keep abreast of illegal betting, spearheaded by FIFA’s head of security, Chris Eaton, who leaves in May to take on a new post at the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) but who has made huge strides in combating the issue.
Prince Ali says it is essential that the authorities keep their eye on the ball.
“Many times you see those involved are a step ahead,” he said.
“We need to put as much resources we can into this aspect of football and support those who are dealing with it in FIFA.
“The important thing is that if there are suspicions you have to investigate it.
“It might just be a coincidence – however there might be something behind it.
“Regardless, it can happen in any country in the world.”
Meanwhile, Prince Ali has lent his support to acting AFC chief Zhang Jilong (pictured left with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Prince Ali) in terms of landing the job full-time.
Zhang took over from Mohamed Bin Hammam when the Qatari was banned by FIFA last summer following the cash-for-votes scandal in Trinidad and Tobago.
“He is doing a very good job,” said Prince Ali.
“If he chooses to run then it’s up to him, but I will wait and see and judge people on their programmes and performance.
“There are many candidates who have expressed an interest in running for that position, but as yet we still don’t know when it will take place.
“But what I can say is I will support the candidate not based on geography, not based on politics, not based on regions but based on their programme for taking the AFC into the future.”
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