KUALA LUMPUR, June 16: A top Malaysian football official warned on Thursday that match-fixers were “destroying” the sport in the Southeast Asian country which is battling a widening match-fixing scandal.

Azzuddin Ahmad, general secretary of the Football Association of Malaysia, urged the police and the anti-graft body to take action.

“We urge the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate and nail anyone involved in match-fixing. They are destroying our football,” he said.

Azzuddin also called on individuals involved in corruption to surrender. “For those who are involved in match-fixing, it is better that you own up before it is too late,” he said when asked if more people could be arrested for graft.”

Azzuddin said he hoped the sport would not see a repeat of an infamous 1994 case when more than 100 players including national footballers were suspended and banned for match-fixing.—AFP