Two World Cup refs suspected of fixing

TWO referees working at the World Cup have been identified as suspects in the fixing of international games, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Sources say FIFA were informed during the current tournament that there is evidence of alleged past malpractice by at least two officials on duty.

But it is understood that by the time the latest information filtered up to FIFA’s security hierarchy in Brazil, the two referees in question had already officiated matches.

The suspicions surrounding the officials are linked to historic games involving the ‘double whammy’ identifiers of unusual in-game incidents matched with unusual betting.

FIFA responded to Mail on Sunday questions about the allegedly corrupt officials by saying: ‘It is important to note that we have no indications that the integrity of the FIFA World Cup has been compromised.’

But there was no denial the information had been received or that it was considered serious.

The tournament has already been rocked by allegations of fixing after German magazine Der Spiegel reported that convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal told them before Cameroon’s group match with Croatia that the Croats would win 4-0 and the Africans would have a man sent off. Perumal denies telling Der Spiegel this, saying he spoke to them after the match.

One source suggested to the Mail on Sunday that Der Speigel may have been hoaxed by somebody on Facebook pretending to be Perumal. Der Speigel have yet to hand any evidence to FIFA.