Cameroon players in World Cup match-fixing probe

CAMEROON’S football federation FECAFOOT is to investigate allegations of match-fixing by its players at the World Cup finals.

Cameroon lost 4 - 0 to Croatia

The FECAFOOT’s ethics committee will probe allegations of fraud in Cameroon’s three Group A matches, particularly the 4-0 defeat to Croatia on 18 June in Manaus.

Cameroon headed home from Brazil after losing against Brazil and Mexico, as well as Croatia, to finish bottom of Group A.

The FECAFOOT statement read: “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.

“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 Committee, 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.”

The allegations came from convicted fraudster Wilson Raj Perumal, who had correctly predicted the 4-0 result and that a player would be sent off in a discussion with German magazine Der Spiegel.

Cameroon and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song was sent off before half-time for elbowing Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic, while the game was also marred by an incident deep into the second half as Benoit Assou-Ekotto looked like he tried to head-butt team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo.

FECAFOOT subsequently launched an investigation into the incident but have not yet reported the outcome of that investigation.

Ghana and Nigeria, who have also exited the tournament, were involved in disputes over money in Brazil in what has been a troubled World Cup for African nations.

Ghana sent two players home - Sulley Muntari for hitting out at an official and Kevin-Prince Boateng for allegedly swearing at his coach.