Investigate Ganesh Thapa for Match –Fixing scandal

The unfortunate and disgraceful match-fixing scandal, something unusual and off –the-cuff incident, involving Nepali players and a coach is front and center in the news right now.

The news came to us like a bolt from the blue much to our shock and utter disbelief.  Without a shred of a doubt, this is the worst thing that has ever happened to Nepali football.

The unraveling of the match-fixing saga, including arrest of culprits   by   Nepal Police caught everyone by complete surprise.

The news spread like wildfire, nationally and internationally, inviting a predictable wave of condemnation from all quarters.

Shockingly, so far there has been no condemnation by Keshab Kumar Bista, Member Secretary of the National Sports Council or any official of the newly formed interim government, which I find absolutely appalling ad unacceptable.

They are pitiful, shameless bureaucrats and part of the problem, not the solution.

I speculated in my earlier article that the government could be a major hindrance to Police’s probe; it   seems so based on local news making rounds.

“Goal Nepal”, the number one football portal of Nepal quoting inside sources reported that the government is pressurizing the Police not to file treason charges against the accused.

At no cost, the Police should cave in to the pressure. Whether they are able to withstand the pressure or not, is an open question. We will have to wait and see. Time will speak.

The Police have done a remarkable job unmasking the scandal to this point. We expect them to round off the investigation on a high note and earn high marks for their endeavor.

The scandal is in the preliminary phase, and we are yet to get a clearer, larger picture.

We now know there are more players and officials (Clubs/All Nepal Football Association) linked to the scandal. During the press meet, the Police made the revelation.

Furthermore, they assured and made it very clear that no stones would be left unturned when it comes to arresting them.

The Police can make further headway into the case, based on statements of the   accused persons in custody.

It is vital that as much information as possible is gathered from them about the identity of other potential suspects involved in the scandal.

The Police must be forceful in their approach and resort to coercion and intimidation ploys to make them admit everything, if the situation demands.

The scandal can be much bigger than we think. We need to get to the bottom of this. We the people deserve to be told the truth, the whole truth.

Time is of the essence. The Police should waste no time and act on those either absconding or in hiding. It is very imperative that they are nabbed and put behind bars.

Whether Mr. Ganesh Thapa, President of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is responsible or not for the scandal, we do not really know for sure at this time. 

Nonetheless, he must be investigated over the scandal because it happened under his corrupt watch.

Mr. Thapa was aware of the match-fixing  and instead of stopping the players; he intentionally kept it a hush-hush affair, thus further encouraging them, according to reports.

If true, and if Mr. Thapa knowingly concealed the facts, he is equally guilty. Also his son Gaurav Thapa’s name is being linked to the scandal.

Let me refresh your memory, the father and son  duo are accused of receiving illegal payment from the former disgraced former AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammam.

The case is still pending before the FIFA Ethics Committee. Their involvement in the latest match-fixing scandal cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Mr. Thapa has become a tyrant just like the suspended FIFA boss Sepp Blatter.

He has the power, connection and influence in the current political context of Nepal. No wonder he seems above the law, in actuality, he really is.

It is time to bring down the hammer on Mr. Thapa. Only FIFA can do it. The million-dollar question is, will they do it?

Former national coach of Nepal Graham Roberts admitted there was match – fixing during a friendly game between Nepal and Philippines played in Manila in 2011 according to  online edition of “ The Standard”, a nationally circulated newspaper of Philippines.

The question is did Roberts inform ANFA?  If yes, whom did he inform? And what did they say?  

Nepal Police must question all coaches, officials associated with the national team since the time players were involved in match-fixing, including Roberts and Jack Stefanwoski.

AFC that vouches zero tolerance policy towards match- fixing must also launch its own investigation into the scandal to find the real truth.