KUALA LUMPUR, July 23: There is no evidence of match-fixing and gambling by members of Malaysia’s national hockey team, a senior official said on Wednesday. “There is no evidence to show that players sold the game,” Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) secretary Hashim Yusoff told AFP after police last month launched an investigation into allegations of match-fixing.
“I deny the allegations. I am in a midst of preparing a report to council members. It is difficult to sell a game,” he added. Hashim will table the report on August 16 to the MHF council members.
The Malay Mail said last month that up to six players wagered between 1,000 ringgit ($313) and 10,000 ringgit on the outcome of the recent Azlan Shah Cup hockey match between Malaysia and India which was allegedly fixed.
Malaysia lost 2-1 to India. Indian coach Ajay Bansal had played down reports that Malaysia deliberately lost a recent international, saying his team had won fair and square. “When we played Malaysia, they had already lost three games and it was expected we would win the match,” he said.
Hashim said he was unsure if police had completed their probe, adding that “so far no arrest has been made.” The allegations had hurt the image of Malaysia’s hockey federation and affected players’ morale, he said, adding that sponsors were now shying away from the association.
Malaysian hockey officials and players have come under intense criticism after failing to qualify for the Beijing Olympics and finishing last in the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in May. The federation lodged a police report last month following a series of news reports which alleged that some national hockey team players were involved in match-fixing, gambling and money-lending activities.
Hashim urged players to concentrate on their next international outing in Hamburg when they play in a four-nation tournament against Belgium, Germany and Pakistan.
1 Comment
hopefully it is the end of the matter yaar