Match-fixing claims set for probe

By Farayi Mungazi
BBC Sport, Sekondi

Fabisch was appointed to the Benin post in December

Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch has been given a 24-hour deadline to confirm his allegations about match-fixing at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has asked Fabisch to sign an affidavit by 1200 GMT on Saturday to confirm the claims he made to the BBC.

Caf is then expected to launch an investigation into the incident.

"I will definitely go all the way to clear this bribery attempt from my point of view," said Fabisch.

"I could have left it under the carpet easily by just throwing this guy out of the hotel. But it could be very helpful if we kill anything like this at the beginning.

"I stand by what I've said and I will give Caf the name and number of the person who offered the bribe. That's all I can do."

World football governing body Fifa told BBC Sport the issue should initially be dealt with by Caf.

"Fifa, as the world governing body of football, takes a global approach towards betting and match manipulation," a Fifa spokesman said.

Fifa also pointed to the Early Warning System company it set up last year to investigate any irregular betting patterns in football.

Meanwhile, Caf has sent a letter to the Benin Football Federation asking for clarification on the precise nature of Fabisch's allegations.

Fabisch told the BBC that he was asked if he would help fix the result of his side's match against Mali, and said he would be willing to give Caf details of the man who made the approach.

The German added that the man spoke to him at the team's hotel on Saturday, two days before his side's defeat by Mali.

When you let the merchants in the temple, there is a big danger for the temple Ghana coach Claude Le Roy

Following the 4-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Friday, Fabisch said the man contacted him twice.

"The following morning he called me again asking 'have you thought about my suggestion?'," he added when speaking to the BBC.

"I said 'yes I have thought about it, I'm still calling the police if you come again,' and I put down the receiver."

The man told Fabisch the company he represented claimed to be able to fix matches across Africa and planned to win money in bets on the tournament's opening goal.

The first goal of the Africa Cup of Nations was Asamoah Gyan's penalty for Ghana against Guinea on Sunday 20 January, a game the tournament hosts won 2-1.

Ghana coach Claude Le Roy said he had full confidence that his players were above reproach.

"I hope Reinhard Fabisch has all the elements to try to stop this - these people kill football," he said.

"Football is a game, and as a coach you have to be an educator. If you teach the players how to cheat, you kill the game.

"I have always been against betting in football because I think there is a big danger of destroying our sport. When you let the merchants in the temple, there is a big danger for the temple - and football is the most beautiful temple that you can imagine."