Asiagate is the name of the match fixing scandal that involved players and officials of the Zimbabwe national football team.[1] Zimbabwe's national team (sometimes composed of local players) underwent tours of Asia and lost several games which led to suspicions of match fixing.
The conspiracy was reportedly established by Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal who was arrested in Finland for attempting to fix Finnish matches.[2]
In February 2012, ZIFA Chief Executive Jonathan Mashingaidze was kidnapped having been investigating into the match-fixing.[3]
As of March 2012, 98 Zimbabwean players had been suspended due to an ongoing investigation.[4]
The Zimbabwean Warriors' national team coach Norman Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas have also been suspended.[citation needed]
Bekhithemba Ndlovu was suspended for 10 years.[5]
Matches
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Malaysia cancelled a friendly with Liberia and invited Zimbabwe as a replacement. Zimbabwe's Football Association sent Monomotapa United F.C to represent the FA. The match was stripped of its "A" status when it was found that it was a club side in national team colours.
References
edit- ^ Smith, David (1 February 2012). "Zimbabwe suspends 80 footballers as part of 'Asiagate' match-fixing probe". Guardian. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ Moyo, Roy (20 July 2011). "Asiagate mastermind jailed in Finland". Bulawayo24.com. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ "Zimbabwe FA boss kidnapped". Kickoff.com. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ "ASIAGATE: More players suspended". Zim Diaspora. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2012-03-06.
- ^ Zimbabwe: Ndlovu Dies