Police must arrest all parties involved in Match-Fixing scam

Match-fixing in football is something not new and has been around for a while. Regrettably, it is spreading like cancer, growing and penetrating deep into football, by the day.

The number of fixing cases is rising at an alarming rate, thus jeopardizing the integrity of the most popular and beautiful sport in the world. It has become a hot -button issue that is obviously a matter of grave concern for the football-playing world.

Illegal sports betting syndicates are widespread globally and have become a menace to sports. Other than football, it is prevalent in cricket and horse racing, probably on a much bigger scale than football.

In spite of FIFA and other sport bodies’ efforts to combat illegal gambling in sports, it has become endemic and continues to thrive.

The lure of easy money motivates players fall into the trap despite the very risk of getting caught.

Since match-fixing reared its ugly head, it has caused havoc on competitive football at all levels, derailing players, coaches, referees, officials and many more.

Players, officials of clubs and football Association, especially in countries where they are grossly underpaid are vulnerable and easy targets of   betting syndicates.

The match-fixing   episode has damaged the credibility and integrity of Nepal football. Although arrests have been made with connection to this scandal, more suspects are still at large.   

By Nepal Police own account, there are more players and officials of ANFA /football Clubs involved in the scam. They had shared the information with the press during a press conference. However, new arrests have not been made so far, which is disheartening.

If the Police have evidences to back up their claim, the delay in making arrest of other potential suspects is difficult to comprehend. No time should have been wasted to round up the accused.

Given the seriousness of the scandal, the Police are duty bound by law to arrest all offenders on the loose and bring them to justice.

They have to display efficiency and promptness in making arrests and investigating all present and past coaches and officials of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), including Ganesh Thapa.

Understandably, the Police are   under increasing pressure from the government and interest groups to go soft on the scandal.

It is very important that the Police maintain public trust, their integrity and not relent under pressure. Otherwise, to yield before such pressure would be unthinkable and disgraceful

The law enforcement agency faces a big challenge. I hope they live up to the expectations in the high profile investigation, which means so much to us.

Also it would be very unfair to those already in the Police net, and they cannot be made scapegoats. Those under the Police radar are equally guilty of the crime and must be held to the same standards.

The match-fixing scam   is a very big deal for Nepali football that is falling deeper and deeper into the abyss.

The latest scam highlights the systematic failure of ANFA under the most corrupt and incompetent leadership of Mr. Thapa.

With an iron hand, Mr. Thapa rules ANFA. He is the ultimate decision maker and nothing happens sans his consent when it comes to matters like management, policies and finance.

Even worse, there is no room for accountability, responsibility, transparency, and good governance in his administration.

The last two decades have seen no progress and football development has largely taken a back seat.

One thing this administration has done is tarnish the name of Nepal in every possible way, be it corruption scandal or over aged players scandal or match- fixing scandal.

As president of the football body, Mr. Thapa should have promptly addressed the scandal, but instead he has remained suspiciously silent. It is the height of irresponsibility and negligence. Keep in mind; silence is an admission of guilt.

Once again, the mainstream media coverage of the country’s biggest ever-sporting scandal has been pathetic and cowardly.

The kind of reporting we have seen is inadequate, inexcusable and a national disgrace.

The media houses refusal to dig deep into the scandal, hold Mr. Thapa accountable and put pressure on the government for a full-fledged   and unbiased investigation is unacceptable.

The reason is very, obvious, they have refrained from being critical of Mr. Thapa for fear of losing revenue in the form of advertisements from him.

Even many of our so-called journalists are supposedly on Mr. Thapa’s payroll.  It is no wonder that they shy away from reporting the real facts and criticizing the ANFA Chief.

Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF) has been a very big disappointment.  It has remained largely silent on the latest scandal, Mr. Thapa’s corruption scandal, mismanagement and highhandedness, all these years later.

It is crystal clear; NSJF is shamelessly carrying water for Mr. Thapa and is increasingly looking like his lapdog.

The national media, NSJF, Nepal government, National Sports Council, Nepal Olympic Committee must act as a watchdog, not a lapdog for Mr. Thapa.

Where the match-fixing scandal is headed for, I am clueless at the moment. Perhaps, we will get a clearer picture, over the next several days. Do not be taken aback if something out of the ordinary happens.