Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Scotland v Nigeria Match Fixing?

  • 29-05-2014 2:20pm
    #1
    MagicIRL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,902 ✭✭✭


    Take a gander at this video. (Available here if the URL doesn't work -> http://thescore.thejournal.ie/nigeria-goalkeeper-vine-1490832-May2014/)
    https://vine.co/v/MdJ2YX32P2U

    Clearly, the nigerian goalkeeper throws the ball in to his own net. It's not ever subtle. He just chucks it in with most pathetic attempt ever seen surely?

    The Guardian also reported this on Tuesday.
    Officers from the National Crime Agency have taken an interest in Scotland’s international friendly against Nigeria at Craven Cottage , amid fears the game could be targeted by match-fixers.

    It is believed news of the NCA’s focus may have been leaked a day before the friendly as a high-profile, pre-emptive strike. The agency, which focuses on serious and organised crime, has been in discussions with the Scottish Football Association’s security department for the past 48 hours without highlighting a specific threat to the friendly. The SFA said: “We are liaising with the relevant authorities and will prepare for the match as normal.” There is no suggestion that Scotland’s players are implicated. Bookmakers have Nigeria priced as favourites.

    The Gambling Commission contacted the Association of British Bookmakers on Tuesday warning members to be “vigilant” with regard to the betting markets for all five of this midweek’s international friendlies involving sides going to the World Cup. The commission also asked that any suspicious betting activity be reported immediately.

    Fifa declined to say whether it was contacted by the NCA about potential problems at Craven Cottage while the NCA said “it will from time to time provide operational detail necessary for public reassurance purposes. It does not routinely confirm or deny the existence of specific operations or provide ongoing commentary on operational activity.”

    With Scotland unbeaten in five games, their manager, Gordon Strachan, denied the timing of the Nigeria game will blunt the appetite of his players. Given the match has been scheduled after the end of the domestic season, a number of the squad have returned from their holidays specifically for the game.

    “We worked yesterday in the pouring rain and I enjoyed myself. People say it’s a lot to do with the coach’s enthusiasm but it works both ways,” said Strachan. “The enthusiasm you get from the players keeps your battery going as a coach and I like working with them. The lads are full of enthusiasm, which is great, and it’s easy to coach when players are like that.

    “We want to try to be more positive, to get more people in the box. That’s what we’ve been working on over the last couple of days. We want to make sure the main striker isn’t isolated.We’ve also done our usual training but we’re trying our best to get as many players forward and around the box as possible.”

    Three members of Strachan’s party – Craig Bryson, Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth – were part of the Derby squad who were denied promotion to the Premier League by Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. The trio joined the squad.

    “It will take a wee while for them to get over that,” Strachan admitted. “But the best way to get over it is to play football. That Championship play-off final now is probably one of the most pressurised games in football.

    “It can be the best day of your life or the worst day of your life but we’ve seen clubs in the Championship who have got close to promotion bounce back the year after. We keep our fingers crossed that Derby will do the same because I thought they were a terrific side this year.”

    So, what do yas think?


Comments

Advertisement