FIFA to examine Bahrain win over Indonesia
Reuters - Thursday 01 March 2012, 11:43
Bahrain's 10-0 win over Indonesia
in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday will be examined by FIFA's
security department, football's governing body said on Thursday.
"Given the unusual outcome in relation to the
results-expectation and head-to-head history, and in the
interests of maintaining unequivocal confidence in our game,
FIFA Security will conduct a routine examination of this game
and its result," FIFA said in a statement.
Bahrain had needed a nine-goal win in the Asian Group E
match, combined with a defeat for Qatar in Iran, to progress to
the next stage of the region's World Cup qualifying competition.
Qatar went through, however, when an 86th-minute goal gave
them a 2-2 draw in Iran to clinch second place in the group at
Bahrain's expense.
Indonesia, already eliminated, fielded a weakened team as a
number of their top players had been suspended by their own
federation for taking part in the breakaway Indonesian Super
League (ISL).
Bahrain converted two penalties during the match and
Lebanese referee Andre El Hadded sent off Indonesia goalkeeper
Samsidar after two minutes.
According to FIFA's records, the two sides had met six times
before with two wins apiece and two draws. Bahrain had not
previously won by more than two goals.
Indonesian football has recently been in turmoil and the
country came close to international suspension last year.
Djohar Arifin Husin, a former secretary-general of the
Indonesian Sports Committee, was elected head of the FA (PSSI)
last year, defeating two other candidates in elections ordered
by FIFA.
'HUGE ISSUE'
Previous elections had failed amid chaotic scenes and FIFA
appointed a committee last year to organise the election.
The previous PSSI president, Nurdin Halid, was jailed in
2007 for misusing funds but continued to run the FA from his
cell.
Prince Ali of Jordan, FIFA's Asian vice-president with a
seat on its executive board, told reporters in London before
this weekend's International Board meeting that while he was
aware of the surprising result, he could not comment directly on
it.
However, he added: "Match fixing is a huge issue that needs
to be tackled... we will have to see what the investigation
comes out with.
"But it has to be taken very seriously, regardless of what
region it is played in. It is a world issue, not just simply in
the Asian region. Many times you see those involved are a step
ahead," he said.
"We need to put as many resources as we can into this aspect
of football and support those who are dealing with it in FIFA.
"The important thing is that if there are suspicions you
have to investigate it. It might just be a coincidence, however
there might be something behind it. Regardless, it can happen in
any country in the world."