NFF deny match-fixing claims

The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed allegations made by convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal that he helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed allegations made by convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal that he helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In a new book published on Monday, the 48-year-old Singaporean claims to have influenced the outcome of the qualifier for the championship hosted by South Africa.

The NFF has however refuted the claims made by Perumal, insisting that Lars Lagerback’s men earned their spot along the other five CAF nations.

“We have gone through the fictitious write-up by the Singaporean, who was fittingly convicted for his nefarious activities and has spent time in jail,” NFF general secretary Barrister Musa Amadu said in a statement.

“The NFF will only say at this moment that there was no truth to the claim and that we had nothing to do with Perumal all through the Super Eagles’ qualifying series for 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“Perumal’s statements are a hogwash and have no legs to stand on. We have ordered for the book itself with a view to digesting it and looking critically at it.

“If the book impugns on the image of the Nigeria Football Federation, our players and the larger image of our dear country, we will take appropriate action.”