Sarawak to soldier on after arrest of two players
DEVINDER SINGH
New Straits Times15 February 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak team manager Wahab Abdul Rahim vowed not to let a match-fixing scandal destroy the struggling Premier League team following the arrest of two of its players.
The two players were remanded for six days in Kuching on Thursday over allegations of fixing Sarawak's 3-2 defeat to Felcra in a Premier League match on Feb 9. A third suspect, not a footballer, was also remanded.
Sarawak conceded three goals in the last five minutes to raise suspicions of match-fixing with Sarawak FA president Datuk Posa Majais then instructing Wahab to get to the bottom of the matter.
On Wednesday night, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission took into custody two players, reportedly a 28-year-old defender and a 30-year-old midfielder, who were then taken to a magistrate court on Thursday.
Wahab urged Sarawak's players and coaches to put the match-fixing scandal out of their minds and continue preparation for their next match against Sabah in Kota Kinabalu on Feb 24.
"The players are all professionals and have to behave as such," said Wahab when contacted. "They have to focus on what they need to do, starting with the next match against Sabah.
The two players were remanded for six days in Kuching on Thursday over allegations of fixing Sarawak's 3-2 defeat to Felcra in a Premier League match on Feb 9. A third suspect, not a footballer, was also remanded. Pic by STR/JANNAH KHO
"The team has to be prepared for the game and put what has happened to one side."
In their last match, Felcra's Brazilian striker Anselmo Arruda Da Silva netted a hat-trick after Sarawak had led 2-0 up to the 87th minute with all the goals scored in the same fashion.
Arruda headed in three crosses which in from the left flank while hardly being challenged in the six-yard box.
Wahab declined to comment on the arrest of the two Sarawak players.
"Let the authorities finish their investigation before we decide on what we can do," he said.
Sarawak's problems have been compounded by the absence of coach Ian Gillan, who took a leave of absence over a family bereavement.
"We hope Ian will return before our next match but until then assistant coach Pengiran Bala will continue coaching the team," added Wahab. © New Straits Times
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