SINGAPORE - Four educational videos and several pertinent anecdotes peppered the 60-minute talk, but the point was sharply delivered: There will be a zero tolerance approach to match-fixing here.
It has been 17 years since a Singapore side kicked a ball in the Malaysian Super League (MSL), and 24 hours before V Sundramoorthy's LionsXII set sail on their football adventure against Kelantan in their opening MSL fixture tonight, they were met by representatives from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
Just before Sundram put his charges through their paces in their final training session ahead of their date with Kelantan, the CPIB warned the new generation of players of the match-fixing scourge, while educating them on matters surrounding it.
From an explanation of what constitutes a bribe to the legislation on corruption, case studies and punishment, the CPIB representatives drew a clear picture for the LionsXII. They were told who might approach them and what to do in such situations.
The powers of the CPIB were also highlighted.
In response to queries from Today, the CPIB said: "Singapore has always adopted a zero tolerance approach towards corruption. Therefore, match-fixing through bribery of any persons will not be condoned in Singapore. The CPIB will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in corrupt practices. In the past, we had successfully dealt with match-fixing cases in Singapore when they were reported to the authorities."
Abbas Saad and Abdul Malek were two players who were charged and convicted in the 1990s.
The Malaysia Cup final in 1994 featured a Singapore side that thumped Pahang 4-0 and the result was tainted with suspicions of match-fixing.
In the same period, Malaysia banned 64 of their own players with another 21 sentenced to internal exile and a ban at a time when the scourge seemed to run riot over regional football.
The authorities here are working together to ensure the disease does not rear its ugly head again, as Singapore prepares to return to competitions across the Causeway.
"The CPIB has worked closely with the Singapore Police Force and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to ensure that the local soccer scene remains clean. In this respect, CPIB assists FAS to administer polygraph testing (premised upon corruption-related questions) on S-League players randomly selected by them," said the CPIB.
And the FAS revealed that the LionsXII players will be put through similar tests.
In response to queries by Today, an FAS spokesperson sent out a clear warning, saying: "We do consider match-fixing a threat and as mentioned before, our anti-corruption measures have been set in place within the football fraternity and they are well aware of the consequences when they indulge in such matters."
It has been 17 years since a Singapore side kicked a ball in the Malaysian Super League (MSL), and 24 hours before V Sundramoorthy's LionsXII set sail on their football adventure against Kelantan in their opening MSL fixture tonight, they were met by representatives from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
Just before Sundram put his charges through their paces in their final training session ahead of their date with Kelantan, the CPIB warned the new generation of players of the match-fixing scourge, while educating them on matters surrounding it.
From an explanation of what constitutes a bribe to the legislation on corruption, case studies and punishment, the CPIB representatives drew a clear picture for the LionsXII. They were told who might approach them and what to do in such situations.
The powers of the CPIB were also highlighted.
In response to queries from Today, the CPIB said: "Singapore has always adopted a zero tolerance approach towards corruption. Therefore, match-fixing through bribery of any persons will not be condoned in Singapore. The CPIB will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in corrupt practices. In the past, we had successfully dealt with match-fixing cases in Singapore when they were reported to the authorities."
Abbas Saad and Abdul Malek were two players who were charged and convicted in the 1990s.
The Malaysia Cup final in 1994 featured a Singapore side that thumped Pahang 4-0 and the result was tainted with suspicions of match-fixing.
In the same period, Malaysia banned 64 of their own players with another 21 sentenced to internal exile and a ban at a time when the scourge seemed to run riot over regional football.
The authorities here are working together to ensure the disease does not rear its ugly head again, as Singapore prepares to return to competitions across the Causeway.
"The CPIB has worked closely with the Singapore Police Force and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to ensure that the local soccer scene remains clean. In this respect, CPIB assists FAS to administer polygraph testing (premised upon corruption-related questions) on S-League players randomly selected by them," said the CPIB.
And the FAS revealed that the LionsXII players will be put through similar tests.
In response to queries by Today, an FAS spokesperson sent out a clear warning, saying: "We do consider match-fixing a threat and as mentioned before, our anti-corruption measures have been set in place within the football fraternity and they are well aware of the consequences when they indulge in such matters."
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