Dutch FA alleges match fixing

Dutch football association (KNVB) says it has uncovered match-fixing involving former Willem II Tilburg player Ibrahim Kargbo in 2009.

It alleges that a league game outcome between Willem II Tilburg and Utrecht was influenced by Kargbo in co-operation with Wilson Maj Perumal, a Singapore man previously convicted of fraud.

While match-fixing in football is relatively common in Europe, the news is the first case of its kind in the country.

“Dutch football is one of the last in Europe to lose its innocence in this matter,” said KNVB operational director Gijs de Jong.

“We have long warned this could happen in the Dutch league but it is still difficult to swallow now that this has been established.

“Hopefully it will add urgency in the Netherlands to the fight against this plague.”

According to KNVB, Mr Kargbo agreed that his captain at the time, Michael Aerts, and a third unidentified player would help sway the game in favour of Utrecht in return for €25,000 each.

The game ended 1-0 to Utrecht, however Perumal did not pay, saying the agreement had been for at least a two-goal victory.

“Nevertheless, it has been established that they agreed on the outcome of the match,” said KNVB.

“There is not enough legal evidence to determine whether Aerts was involved and it is unclear who the third person was.”

Kargbo told the BBC: “I was never involved in any match-fixing in Holland."

The 33-year-old, who last played for English club Thamesmead Town, has been banned from participating in Dutch football.