There might be something rotten in the state of soccer.
A cloud of doubt was cast over the 2014 FIFA World Cup after German soccer magazine Der Spiegel claimed a convicted match fixer accurately predicted the score of Cameroon’s 4-0 loss to Croatia on June 18 and said one of the African nation’s players would be sent off during the game, according to the Guardian.
On Monday, Cameroon’s national soccer federation, FECAFOOT, said it would investigate the claims of Der Spiegel and noted Singaporean fraudster Wilson Maj Perumal.
“Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon 2014 FIFA World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon vs. Croatia, as well of ‘the existence of seven bad apples’ in our national team, do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with FIFA Code of Conduct and the ethics of our nation,” FECAFOOT president Joseph Owona said in a statement on its Facebook page.
“We wish to inform the general public that, though not yet contacted by FIFA in regards to this affair, our administration has already instructed its Ethics Committe, to further investigate these accusations. We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.
“In the meantime we legitimately request that any related information, unless brought before our federation and/or its Ethics Committee, be held for or treated as mere assumption.
“We wish to reinstate that in fifty-five (55) years of existence, FECAFOOT has never been sanctioned for, involved in, or even linked to match fixing or any fraud of any kind.
Cameroon’s Alex Song was dismissed in the first half for inexplicably elbowing Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic. Later in the game, Benoit Assou-Ekotto appeared to headbutt teammate Benjamin Moukandjo in one of the most farcical moments of the 2014 World Cup.
Cameroon’s statement also refers to the Indomitable Lions’ other 2014 World Cup games — a 1-0 loss to Mexico and a 4-1 defeat to Brazil.
FECAFOOT hasn’t commented further.
The BBC reports that FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, made no official statement because it was loathe to “compromise any possible investigations.”
Photo via Twitter/@br_uk
