Brazil 2014: Match-fixing scandal hits Cameroon

An apparently notorious Singaporean match-fixer is reported to have alleged that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun fixed their matches at the Brazil World Cup.

According to BBC sources in Brazil, the match-fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal, made the allegations which were published in the German news magazie, Der Spiegel, forcing Cemeroun officials to launch fresh investigations into the country's outrageously poor show at the mundial. 

Cameroun lost all three group matches in Brazil, scoring only one goal and conceding nine in the 1-0 loss to Mexico, beaten 4-0 by Croatia and 4-1 by host nation, Brazil. 

And the Ethics Committee of FECAFOOT, Cameroun's football federation, has been charged "to investigate claims that seven of their players were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup". 

The Singaporean match-fixer was reported to have forecast correctly Cameroun's 4-0 defeat by Croatia and that a player would be sent off during the match, incidents that came to pass. 

Cameroun and Barcelona defensive midfielder, Alexandre Song, was red-carded for fouling Croatia striker, Mario Mandzukic, in the match that also witnessed defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butting team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo. 

Mandzukic later scored twice in the 61st and 73rd minutes to add to the earlier strikes by Olic (11th) and Perisic (48th) to complete the rout of Cameroun and to set the stage for their ignominy in Brazil. 

The German coach of Cameroun, Volker Finke, couldn't have suspected anything but was certainly not impressed by the performance of his charges when he told a post-match press conference: "some players behaved badly, and that's why we have conceded four goals...the game was balanced until the red card". 

Following Cameroun's poor show, coupled with pre-tournament row over money which delayed their planned departure fot the World Cup, President Paul Biya had already asked for an inquiry and the fresh investigations following the new allegations couldn't have come at a better time in Cameroun.