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Singapore reports match-fixing

(AP)
Updated: 2006-10-05 15:44

SINGAPORE?-- Singapore's soccer association is investigating allegations of an attempt to fix a match between two teams in September, the chief of Singapore's S. League said Wednesday.

One team, Sporting Afrique, reported to the Football Association of Singapore that midfielder Jacques Ngo'o Evrard said he was offered about US$5,000 (euro3,900) to pull out of a September 25 match against Gombak United, S. League CEO Winston Lee said in a statement.

Lee said the association was investigating Sporting Afrique's claim.

"The FAS takes a serious view of this matter," Lee said. "This isolated incident shows that our control measures are working to flush out possible problems of this nature."

S. League has had other incidents of match-fixing, and one former coach, Chow Kwai Lam, was charged in court in August with offenses that carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a US$63,400 fine, or both if convicted.

Lee lauded the S. League's efforts to avoid bribery and match-fixing attempts.

"Clubs, officials and players are doing their part by working closely with the FAS and relevant authorities to keep this unsavory element out of the game," he said.