Tried to fix Nehru Cup match, admits Nepal goalkeeper
A 2012 Nehru Cup match involving Nepal and Cameroon played in Delhi was fixed for approximately Rs 1 crore, it has emerged.
Nepal goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa reportedly confessed to the local police that the team was promised a sum of $100,000 if they lost 4-0 to Cameroon. The All Nepal Football Association officials too were aware of the fix and instead of stopping the players, the governing body encouraged them, it was further reported.
It was agreed that 20 players would get the money, $5,000 each for the fix to be executed. Nepal, however, lost the match to the African giants 5-0, conceding one goal more than what was agreed in the deal.
According to Nepal media, Thapa told police in a statement: “We lost the match 5-0 after Sagar and I were replaced. We were all set to play 4-0 loss. After 5-0 loss, we couldn’t get money from the bookie. We even fought over the issue. Even ANFA officials knew about the issue but they didn’t do anything and instead we were encouraged.”
Nepal police has arrested Nepal skipper Sagar Thapa, goalie Ritesh Thapa, VC Sandip Rai, former Nepal international duo Anjan KC and Bikash Chhetri in match fixing scandal that has rocked the Himalayan Kingdom.
All the players have already accepted that they had received money from bookies to fix matches. The police is set to file treason charges against the players and if found guilty, players will be jailed for a maximum of 10 years.
Nepal had finished at the bottom of the quadrangular tournament three years ago. Their only point came from a goalless draw against India, who won the tournament by beating Cameroon in the final.
Jackichand scores
Pune: Pune FC rode on India international Jackichand Singh’s second minute strike to snap defending champions Atletico de Kolkata’s unbeaten run with a 1-0 win and jump to the top of the Indian Super League standings. The game got off to a lightning start with Jackichand capitalising on a long ball into the ATK half and finishing first time with his left foot past goalkeeper Juan Calatayud to put the home side 1-0 up with just 76 seconds on the clock at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium.
With nine points from four matches (three wins and a loss), Pune leapfrogged ATK on top of ISL table, pushing down the defending champions, who suffered their first defeat of the season today, to second spot. ATK now have seven points from four matches (two wins, one draw and one loss).
Calatayud was a busy man throughout the match and was called into action a minute later to save from a long range effort by Costa Rican Yendrick Ruiz. The home side were firmly in control in the opening stages as Kolkata struggled to get on the ball.
Pune could have doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute but Tuncay Sanli blazed over the bar with a shot off his weaker left foot.
The defending champions were on the back foot and a quick counter-attack set up two more chances for Pune in a goal-mouth scramble at the half-hour mark.
ATK’s defence somehow kept it at 1-0 after attempts from Ruiz and Jackichand were cleared off the line. Ruiz had another go from a distance but Calatayud was equal to the task.
(With PTI inputs)
