| Nigeria has reacted with anger to the news that world soccer’s governing body FIFA is probing last Wednesday’s friendly against Argentina in the capital city of Abuja over alleged match-fixing. Concerns were raised about betting patterns, specifically before the final goal was scored, during Wednesday’s game, which Nigeria won 4-1 – its first ever victory against the Latin Americans at the senior level. With Nigeria 4-0 ahead, there was a huge swing on some in-play markets which appeared to anticipate a fifth goal. Five minutes of stoppage time were awarded, but play continued beyond that and referee Ibrahim Chaibou of Niger awarded a 98th-minute penalty to Argentina for handball.
It is hard to get an exact figure for how much would have been placed as bet to force a fifth goal, but analysts said it could be hundreds of thousands of pounds sterling.
FIFA has confirmed it is investigating the match, saying ‘it is one that we had an active interest in, and forms part of a wider ongoing FIFA investigation.’
FIFA says it is ‘working closely’ with its betting monitoring agency, called Early Warning System, which tracks wagers placed with more than 400 operators worldwide.
But the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, says it is concerned at attempts by unscrupulous elements to play down the achievement of the national team, the Super Eagles, in beating Argentina.
In a statement, NFF calls the probe ‘a calculated attempt at ruining our moment of triumph’, adding: ‘We will do everything we can to assist FIFA in their investigations into the matter.’
The federation says unless otherwise proven, Nigeria won the match fair and square. |
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