FACTORS AT PLAY IN MATCH-FIXING
MACC deputy chief commissioner outlines issues involved
APART from salary issues, the other factors leading to match-fixing include greed, a lavish lifestyle and womanising. This was stated by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki in his speech to 160 players and staff of the FA of Selangor (FAS) during the Declaration of Integrity event at the Sunway Putra Hotel, yesterday.
“Times have changed. In the 1990s, issues like ‘selling matches’ only arose when salaries were late which forced players into matchfixing. That’s only one factor but there are more (now). I don’t deny it (non-payment of salaries) as a contributing factor but there are bigger factors at play.
“These include greed, lifestyle (players’ living beyond their means), and I have to be frank, some of them are into womanising.”
To eradicate match-fixing, the MACC are working with FAS in a pilot project which saw the launch of two books on integrity, which were signed by all 160 people taking their oath.
The MACC has also made some suggestions to combat matchfixing. “I suggest to put all handphones (of the players) in a box four hours before (a match) with only one officer in charge.
“And as Selangor Crown Prince, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said, we must appoint one official who can manage and take care of players’ personal welfare.
“Welfare isn’t just about money but also personal problems and this appointed individual will see to that.
“And this will help to eradicate communications (between players and bookies) and take care of their personal welfare,” he said.
This issue has come about after several M-League teams failed to pay their players.