Two Singaporeans investigated for alleged football bribery case

SINGAPORE — The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and the S-League are assisting the authorities in their investigations into an alleged bribery case involving the StarHub League Cup match between Balestier Khalsa FC and Singapore Recreation Club (SRC) on July 19 last year.

The New Paper reported today (Oct 2) that two Singaporeans – Rajendar Prasad Rai and Francis Donahue Marcel – had allegedly offered S$3,000 to some football players from the SRC to fix the outcome of the match, which Balestier Khalsa won 2-0.

Rai, 42, is also accused of abetting and commissioning an offence of giving €25,000 to three men from Macedonia to fix a football match between Belgium’s SC Charleroi and VVV Venlo of the Netherlands. The match was played in Turkey on Jan 12, 2013, with Venlo winning the tie 1-0. He also faces an additional charge under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In a statement issued today, the FAS said: “We take a very serious view on this matter and are assisting the authorities in their investigations.

“We would like to reiterate that any player or official found guilty in a court of law for football corruption offences, or on sufficient proof being established before the FAS Council, will be dealt with severely and with the full extent of our laws, including the imposition of a permanent suspension from taking part in football management, membership and/or the activities of the FAS.”

Both Rai and Marcel will appear in court again on Monday (Oct 5).