Cameroon players investigated for match-fixing

SEVEN members of Cameroon's World Cup squad are being investigated after claims they were involved in match-fixing at this year's tournament, officials confirmed.

Cameroon's football federation (FECAFOOT) will probe allegations of fraud after the team left the World Cup in tatters following three straight defeats in the group stages.

The investigation comes after a convicted match fixer from Singapore made the allegations in German news magazine Der Spiegel.

The nation scored just one goal and conceded nine in matches against Croatia, Mexico and Brazil ending a turbulent campaign for the African nation.

So far no players have been named in the investigation but their matches were not without controversy.

During their 4-0 defeat to Croatia on June 18, former Arsenal star Alex Song was sent-off for elbowing Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic.

While former Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto was involved in an on-field bust-up with teammate Benjamin Moukandjo.

Convicted conman Wilson Raj Perumal had correctly predicted the 4-0 result and that a player would be sent off in a discussion with German magazine Der Spiegel.

FECAFOOT launched an investigation after the team's World Cup loss but are yet to report the outcome of that investigation or name any of the players involved.

A statement from Cameroon's FA read: "Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with Fifa's code of conduct and the ethics of our nation."

It added: "We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.

"In the meantime we legitimately request that any related information, unless brought before our federation and/or its Ethics Committee, be held for or treated as mere assumption."

The team were involved a huge row over bonus payments before the World Cup. Some players even refused to board the plane to Brazil until a final package was agreed.