April 27, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1429

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26: The Malaysian FA has threatened to suspend major domestic and international competitions in the country over a match-fixing scandal that has rocked local football.

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin said he would have no hesitation in halting June’s Malaysia Cup and an Under-23 international tournament next month should more match-fixing cases emerge within the next two weeks, The Star newspaper reported on Saturday.

Malaysian police and the Anti-Corruption Agency are investigating alleged match-fixing in the Super League and on Thursday detained five current and one former player from the Sarawak team.

Also under investigation is fellow Super League side Police FA for “poor performances”. Sarawak are bottom of the 13-team league while Police are 11th.

“The nation’s image will be tarnished if any of the national players are hauled up by the authorities during this international (under-23) tournament,” Khairy was quoted by The Star as saying.

“We are declaring all-out war against corruption in football even if it means having to overhaul our entire system.

“If investigations by the authorities indicate that match-fixing is rampant, we do not rule out taking drastic measures, including suspending the Malaysia Cup.”

The Intercontinental Cup, scheduled for Kuala Lumpur between May 15-25, is set to feature the Olympic teams of Argentina, Australia and Nigeria, along with Ghana, Ireland, Iraq, Croatia and Malaysia.—Reuters