FIFA have denied allegations of match-fixing at the World Cup by a German newspaper, claiming there is no evidence to support it.
Der Spiegel reported that renowned match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal correctly predicted the scoreline for Cameroon's group game against Croatia in a Facebook conversation with one of their journalists. FIFA's head of media Delia Fischer says there is no evidence to support this.
So far we have no evidence of any match manipulation on the betting market. The media and other stakeholders should not call people’s or organisation’s credibility into question just for headlines.
The newspaper reported that Perumal predicted Cameroon would lose 4-0 to Croatia and the African side would have a player sent off. The match finished 4-0 to Croatia and Alex Song was red carded in the first half.
Perumal denied these claims in a statement.
Contrary to the ’revelations’ published by the German weekly Der Spiegel that were picked up by news outlets worldwide, I did not predict the result of the Cameroon vs Croatia match.
The Facebook chat with the Der Spiegel journalist took place a few days after the match – June 21st, as confirmed by my Facebook log – and was but an informal assessment of the behaviour of the Cameroon team at the Brazil 2014 World Cup after they had played two of their three group stage matches, including the one with Croatia.
At no time did I make reference to four goals being scored or to a red card being issued.
Der Spiegel are sticking to their guns but have yet to produce definitive proof of the alleged match-fixing.
Hat tip: Irish Examiner
