Minerva players approached on social media to fix matches

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Bengaluru, January 29: Ahead of the crucial I League away tie against Kolkata giants East Bengal, the Minerva Punjab FC camp has revealed that many of its players have been approached through social media platforms to fix matches.

It may be recalled that earlier this month, Minerva said two players were given offers through WhatsApp and Instagram as well as text messages and that they reported the matter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The I-League outfit also said they had also reported the matter on the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) integrity app.

Acting immediately on Minerva's complaint, the AIFF then stressed on its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, saying it would leave no stone unturned to "protect the integrity" of the sport.

But in a latest development Minerva owner Ranjit Bajaj, who is very active on social media, took to Twitter and revealed that five more players had been approached to fix matches.

"Another low for Indian football with another five of my players being asked to fix matches in the I-League, taking the numbers to seven," he tweeted.

Javed Siraj, the AIFF's integrity officer, confirmed receiving the letter from the club and said the governing body was taking it seriously.

"We're on the job and are doing whatever we can in our parameters," said Siraj.

Bajaj said he had been asked not to comment on the matter as it was under investigation.

"I'm really surprised that we're the first to report this. It can't be that this is happening for the first time," said Bajaj.

"The AIFF needs to deal with it very seriously as it can destroy the integrity and reputation of the sport in the country."

Minerva, who made their I League debut last season, are in good form this season and are currently leading the table with 25 points from 10 matches. As they get ready to take on East Bengal on Tuesday (January 30), the second offer of match fixing in 10 days is the least they would have wanted.

(With Agency inputs)