Match-fixing: Nepal indicted in a 2012 Cameroon duel

A 2012 Nehru Cup match involving Nepal and Cameroon played in Delhi was fixed for approximately Rs 1 crore, it has emerged.

Nepal goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa reportedly confessed to the local police that the team was promised a sum of $100,000 if they lost 4-0 to Cameroon. The All Nepal Football Association officials too were aware of the fix and instead of stopping the players, the governing body encouraged them, it was further reported.

It was agreed that 20 players would get the money, $5,000 each for the fix to be executed. Nepal, however, lost the match to the African giants 5-0, conceding one goal more than what was agreed in the deal.

According to Nepal media, Thapa told police in a statement: “We lost the match 5-0 after Sagar and I were replaced. We were all set to play 4-0 loss. After 5-0 loss, we couldn’t get money from the bookie. We even fought over the issue. Even ANFA officials knew about the issue but they didn’t do anything and instead we were encouraged.”

Nepal police has arrested Nepal skipper Sagar Thapa, goalie Ritesh Thapa, VC Sandip Rai, former Nepal international duo Anjan KC and Bikash Chhetri in match fixing scandal that has rocked the Himalayan Kingdom.

All the players have already accepted that they had received money from bookies to fix matches. The police is set to file treason charges against the players and if found guilty, players will be jailed for a maximum of 10 years.

Nepal had finished at the bottom of the quadrangular tournament three years ago. Their only point came from a goalless draw against India, who won the tournament by beating Cameroon in the final.