FIFA probes Myanmar match-fixing allegations

Myanmar lost the October match against Kyrgyzstan 7-0 last year, prompting allegations that it threw the 2022 World Cup qualifier match.

Published : Feb 20, 2020 22:53 IST , Yangon

Last year, Myanmar lost three of its five World Cup qualifiers. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

Last year, Myanmar lost three of its five World Cup qualifiers. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

FIFA is investigating allegations Myanmar deliberately threw a 2022 World Cup qualifier match last year, the country’s football body said on Thursday.

Myanmar lost the October match against Kyrgyzstan 7-0, the Southeast Asian side’s third defeat in a row in the qualifiers after losing to Mongolia and Japan.

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“FIFA has carried out an investigation, but we haven’t yet received its findings,” Myanmar Football Federation General Secretary Ko Ko Thein told AFP .

He said Myanmar had “zero tolerance” for such incidents, and the country had fully cooperated with the probe. Since its losing streak, the side changed coach and won its last two qualifiers -- giving itself a chance of advancing from the group stages.

It is due to play Kyrgyzstan again in March, one of three matches outstanding in the group. Myanmar football writer and analyst Htun Htun Oo said he was unconvinced there had been foul play.

“Losing by lots of goals comes as no surprise to Myanmar fans,” he said.