A new football scandal has erupted in Malaysia over match-fixing involving players, and officials warning on Friday that it has marred the image of one of its professional leagues. Nine players with the northern Perlis state admitted having contact with a bookmaker who offered them up to 100,000 ringgit ($32,000) each before they lost 7-2 against a weak team on January 9, the New Straits Times said.
Following the shock defeat, Perlis Football Association chief Shahidan Kassim questioned players who said a bookmaker had convinced them to lose the match. “Nine players are under investigation for corruption. We have suspended one player,” Azhar Ahmad, Perlis FA deputy president told AFP.
“I am in favour of drastic action against players who indulge in corruption. They should be banned for life and their assets seized,” he said.
An initial probe revealed that a former Perlis player had approached the players to lose the match, Azhar said.
“We are disappointed by their actions. It has brought shame to the Perlis FA. Our supporters have called me to express their disappointment,” he said.
Twelve teams contest the second-tier premier league tournament which is under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
The tournament began barely two weeks ago and the integrity of the league could be thrown into doubt if corruption is not eradicated, an FAM official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The scandal is a fresh blow to Malaysian football, which has struggled to recover from a 1994 investigation that saw 21 players and coaches sacked, 58 players suspended and 126 players questioned over corruption. Azhar said if investigations by the anti-corruption agency and police indicate the nine players are indeed involved in the latest scam, the team will have to pull out of the tournament because there are no substitute players.
“What is important is we weed out corruption. We want to stop this match-rigging from spreading,” he said.
“I think outraged fans will not turn up to watch tonight’s match in (the capital) Kangar,” he added.