'FAM president has to focus on match-fixing' - MISC-MIFA president
The round nine Premier League match between MISC-MIFA and PKNP FC at the Petaling Jaya Stadium Stadium on Friday might have ended in a 2-1 win to the visitors, but it was not the result that was foremost on the home club president's mind.
MISC had been in the spotlight this week after three of its players were arrested on suspicion of match-fixing, and club president Datuk T. Mohan told the media following the match that the club would do everything in their power to stamp out the problem.
According to Mohan, the arrest of the trio has led to the arrest of a suspected match-fixer by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"MACC has remanded a man suspected as a match-fixer, due to the statements given by the players," said Mohan.
He did not divulge the identity of the suspect, and only told the press that the man is Malaysian and that he has been shown the suspect's photos.
He also explained the club's decision to post an increased number of security personnel and marshalls around the ground during the match, saying that it is just one of the many steps taken by them to weed out match-fixing.
"When it comes to match-fixers, we have to be extra (cautious). We know what will happen, and we will be vigilant.
"We want to go all out against match-fixing. For example today, even if we lost, we lost fairly.
"We won't be distracted by the presence of match-fixers or other influences, or by the thoughts of players who are on the take.
"Regardless of whether we lose or win, we will go all out against match-fixers, to any extent," explained the president.
Mohan then added that they will assist the police and MACC, while asking for the new Malaysian FA (FAM) president, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to look into this matter.
"Whatever it takes, we will cooperate with the police and MACC.
"And the new (FAM) president has to focus on the issue of match-fixing," Mohan stated.
When asked by the press regarding the fate of the arrested players, Mohan responded by saying that it depends on their innocence and the decision of the coaching staff.
"We'll see how the investigation and their statements go, if they are guilty then they will be out (terminated) automatically.
"But if they are found not guilty then it is up to the [head] coach and manager. If the players' services are still required they will be retained, if not they will be released," Mohan explained.