AIFF to probe I-League match-fixing case

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All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das on Thursday said he would initiate an investigation into the alleged match-fixing attempt by two players of the I-League club Minerva Punjab once the federation receives details of it in writing.

Das' comments came after Minerva Punjab owner Ranjeet Bajaj had taken to his official Twitter account to reveal that two of his team players were offered Rs 30 lakh each for match-fixing.

"Two of my players came to me with screenshots of match-fixing offers of 30 lakhs/I reported it to AIFF integrity officer & also AFC through their integrity app/really hope these unscrupulous elements are not successful in getting through to other players and match officials @ILeagueOfficial," Ranjeet wrote.

The AIFF general secretary confirmed that Ranjeet had approached their integrity officer to report the issue, but they could not initiate the probe based only on tweets.

"Ranjeet Bajaj has approached integrity officer to report the issue. Integrity officer asked him to send all the details in writing and will start an investigation which is the rule, but as of now Bajaj has sent nothing. We can't initiate an investigation based on Tweets," Das told ANI.

Echoing similar views, I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said that it is a very serious matter and that they would take strict action against the same once they receive all the necessary information.

"I am aware of the issue. Ranjeet has approached our integrity officer and he is been asked to send all the details in writing. We are waiting for the detail. It is a very serious matter, we will definitely take strict action," Dhar said.

Minerva are the surprise leaders of this season's I-League, having won seven of their nine matches so far. They have accumulated 22 points and have a three-point lead over second-placed East Bengal with a match in hand.