The management of Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi says it has commenced an investigation of players allegedly involved in a match-fixing and betting scandal.
Balarabe Douglas, the club’s chairman, told journalists on Thursday in Bauchi that some players were accused of “match-fixing and betting for selfish reasons.”
He said this development led to frustration among the club’s hierarchy, the team’s supporters, and Bauchi indigenes.
“We commenced investigation into allegations of manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes by some of our players in breach of the Wikki Tourists’ conduct and regulations,” stated the club’s chairman.
He added, “The management can confirm that the wide investigation is now at an advanced stage, and it is anticipated it will be completed shortly, at which point any potential charges will be considered.”
The club’s chair added, “The players involved have really frustrated the efforts of the team and the management in all the matches of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Professional Football League.”
Mr Douglas appealed for calm.
“The management firmly opposes game manipulation, gambling and other acts that violate sports integrity and ethics and will hand out punishments based on the final investigation,” he explained.
He commended the NPFL Interim Management Committee (IMC) for restoring three deducted points and three goals to the club.
The deduction was a penalty for alleged fans’ misbehaviour.
(NAN)
