Match fixers in detention for a week more for investigation

Kathmandu / November 1: The football players accused of match fixing in various international games are to stay one more week in detention for further investigation.

The Special Court issued an order to this effect on Sunday. Judges Mohan Raman Bhattarai, Narendra Shivakoti, and Bhupendra Rai issued the order. The Office of the Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu had produced the match fixers before the Special Court, seeking their extended stay in detention.

Police said investigation is underway about the match fixers Sagar Thapa, Sandip Rai, Ritesh Thapa, Bikash Singh Chhetri and Anjan KC.

Speaking briefly with the media while they were being taken to the Special Court, Sagar Thapa and Ritesh Thapa said that they are innocent. “First of all, we are innocent. Please do look up to us with positive perspective till the Court delivers its verdict,” Sagar said, “Police are doing their work.”

“We are cooperating (with police),” said Ritesh, standing by the side of Sagar, “Investigation is yet to be done. We are at the stage of investigation.”

The footballers were arrested from different parts of the Kathmandu Valley on October 14 before the Dashain vacation and presented before the Special Court on October 27. After their arrest, ANFA suspended the footballers from all football-related activities until the full investigation. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also followed the suit and provisionally suspended the footballers for 30 days. The AFC further wrote to FIFA seeking worldwide ban on them. RSS