Football is possibly the most popular game in Nepal. Thousands of spectators pay to watch football matches at the Dasharath Stadium. But this year, they were betrayed as matches of the Martyrs Memorial A Division League were marred by match fixing allegations.[break]
Match fixing is not only a betrayal to the spectators but also has negative impacts on football´s development.
The league resumed after a three-year hiatus to give ailing domestic football a fresh lease of life. In contrast to the high enthusiasm in the beginning, the league turned dreary towards the final phase. “It is an open secret that some of the teams played just to retain their position in the first division,” said an official of the club requesting anonymity.
The league champion Nepal Police Club and relegated teams Sankata and Boys Union has already been decided with two matches yet to be played on Saturday.
Beginning of match fixing
The allegations of match fixing began on the last day of first leg on April 1. Friends Club coach Mrigendra Mishra alleged his first choice custodian Rupak Shrestha of match fixing during their 2-2 draw against New Road Team (NRT).
NRT scored two goals during last eight minutes. Then onwards, goalie Shrestha was not seen in any matches.
Match fixing allegation took the worst turn during the final stage of the league. Armed Police Force Manger Prem Shrestha was the first official to raise the issue formally in the press. But league organizing committee and football governing body All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) turned deaf ear to the allegation.
Speculations of match fixing spread in the crucial match of relegation battle. “We had requested Machhindra to lose match against us, but they were not satisfied with our offers,” revealed relegated Boys Union coach Kumar Katwal during a post match conference. “However, we defeated them playing our natural game.”
Katwal also blamed Machhindra for fixing and losing 2-0 to relegated Sankata.
Boy´s Union´s 7-1 victory over Jawalakhel in their last league match to save them from relegation added more support to the match fixing allegations pushing APF to relegation threat. In the first leg Jawalakhel had defeated Boys Union.
The following day, APF at least required a win by six goals over Machhindra to save them from the relegation and they played a miraculous football scoring eight goals -- seven in the first half. In the first leg, the teams had played a goalless draw. As a result, Boys Union were relegated on the basis of goal difference.
Yubaraj Karki, a fan venting his ire toward abnormal results suggested ANFA to stop organizing such leagues. “It is better not to organize such leagues where match are openly fixed. It is better to stop the league.”
Other matches marred by match-fixing include goalless draw between Ranipokhari Corner Team and Friends Club; and 3-3 draw between Jawalakhel and Manang Marshyangdi Club.
ANFA reluctant to probe
ANFA and league organizing committee is reluctant to investigate into allegations of match fixing.
ANFA Vice-president and Committee coordinator Lalit Krishna Shrestha does not think it is necessary to investigate. “We have not received any complaint regarding fixing from clubs. We do not think it necessary to probe further,” Shrestha told Republica adding that eight to 10 goals are possible in a football match. “The referee and match commissioner also have not cast any doubts,” Shrestha said.
Boys Union President Arunman Baidhya after relegation of his team hinting to the match fixing said, “We were not relegated, but forced into relegation.”
An ANFA official blamed that negligence over match fixing issue is due to the fact that most of the officials of clubs are in the executive body of ANFA. “They do not want to punish themselves and tag themselves as match fixer,” he said.
He claimed that even if ANFA forms a probe committee, it will report that match-fixing allegations were baseless.
ANFA vice president Shrestha is the president of Three Star Club. Likewise, Machhindra President Sunil Kapali, NRT President Narendra Man Shrestha and RCT President Bijay Narayan Manandhar are also the vice presidents and the executive members of league organizing body. ANFA CEO and Sankata President Indraman Tuladhar is also in the league organizing body.
“Match fixing hampers the development of football,” said former national team captain and Nepal Army Club coach Raju Kaji Shakya. “Match fixing harasses the genuine players and coaches and prevents them from exhibiting their natural talent during such games.”
International practice
Match fixing is a serious offence in international football.
In February this year, two first division clubs were relegated from Super League (top flight) to second division in China. The teams have been accused of match-fixing and gambling.
Italian soccer giants Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina were all relegated in 2006 as a result of the massive Italian football match-fixing scandal.
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