FIFA Report Reveals 'Compelling Evidence' South African Friendlies Were Fixed

A FIFA report into match-fixing in the weeks before the 2010 World Cup has found "compelling evidence" that one or more friendly games involving host South Africa were fixed ahead of the the event, according to the AP. The South African Football Association conceded that it had been "infiltrated" two years ago by now-convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal and his "bogus" company Football4U -- "which was actually a front for Asian betting syndicates." No players have been implicated in fixing matches but referees appointed by Perumal's Football4U were thought to have "manipulated one or more of South Africa's World Cup buildup games for betting markets." SAFA added that Perumal "could have been aided by some South African officials." SAFA CEO Robin Petersen said, "The full extent of the web of international crime is now exposed" (AP, 12/16).