Inquiry cripples soccer

Inquiry cripples soccer

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's growing soccer match-fixing
investigation has crippled the national team while some players
will get higher pay as part of official attempts to end sports
corruption.

At least 44 players, former players and a coach have been
arrested since the probe into alleged bribery began in October.
Malaysia's national team is deeply demoralised, officials said
yesterday.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president,
Prince Abdullah Ahmad Shah, said Malaysia might pull out of a
tournament in Bangladesh starting Jan. 25 because of the
investigations.

"A pullout is not discounted if too many internationals are
picked up by police for questioning," Prince Abdullah said late
Tuesday.

While some soccer officials have cried foul over the arrests
in the absence of concrete proof, authorities in at least one
state had initiated more positive steps to weed out future
bribery.

Hamid Pawanteh, chief minister of northern Perlis state, has
announced a 100 percent increase in payouts to to state players
and soccer officials.

"This will ensure that players and officials are less prone to
accepting bribes or getting involved in match-fixing," Hamid said.