By Gracious Akujobi
Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi has warned all those who engage in match-fixing to desist or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
Abdullahi who gave the warning in Abuja on Monday, said match-fixing remains a clog in the wheel of progress of the league in the country, adding that there would be no sacred cow in the fight to sanitize the game.
He singled out referees as major actors in match-fixing noting that club officials who induce them would not be allowed to go unpunished, reiterating the NSC’s determination to spearhead the fight against corruption.
“We have set the process to rid the league off bad eggs in motion and any referee caught involved in shady deals will have his or her day in court for match fixing which is a criminal offence and punishable by law.
“We shall invite the ICPC to investigate and then prosecute any referee or clubs involved in match fixing because it negates the law of the federal republic and that of the game” the minister said”
He said that it is painful that referees often times bring the game to disrepute with their biased and predetermined officiating to the chagrin of the clubs and fans alike.
