GFA ethics panel to resume probe into match-fixing, summon players and officials

Panaji: The Goa Football Association’s ethics committee will summon players and officials as part of its investigation into match fixing and submit the report later this month.

The ethics committee has been entrusted with the responsibility of probing the alleged

match-fixing

in the

Goa Professional League

with 12 matches being red-flagged this season alone. London-based betting watchdogs like Sportradar and Genius Sports have both red-flagged several games for the last two years

The ethics committee was told to investigate two years ago but have not made any progress.

“In our first meeting we realised that the

GFA

ethics committee was incorporated in our statutes in 2017, but there was no code which we could fall back on. The ethics code was adopted on March 19, 2021, so it would not be right to make allegations like the ethics panel is sleeping. Technically and legally, they are the competent people to decide how the inquiry should go ahead,” GFA competitions committee chairman and ethics committee member Dominic Pereira told TOI.

Even if the ethics code was adopted only in 2021, the committee has taken unusually long to investigate match-fixing.

Sources said there was just one meeting where players were summoned at the Duler football stadium in Mapusa, while those willing to provide information are still waiting to be heard.

Asked to explain the delay, Pereira said they were handicapped due to Covid-19.

“It’s been one year, but there were various issues due to Covid. Some of the members, their families had Covid. It was difficult (to meet) since members are from different places.

“As part of our inquiry, letters have already been sent (to the clubs), asking for bank details. The (player) contracts will be examined. Certain players and officials will definitely be examined. The inquiry is going in the right way,” said Pereira.

The inquiry into fixing, Pereira said, is likely to restart later this week, once members of the committee – currently in Morocco for Mundiavocat or Football World Cub for lawyers – return home on May 17.

Teams from 11 countries are taking part in the 20th football championship for lawyers. India is represented by Goa Lawyers.