An allegation made by Lobi Stars that some of their players have been involved in fixing games to favour some betting patterns or individuals, we sought to hear from a veteran in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) on his experience with such.
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The media decided not to reveal the identity of the player who has been in the league for seven seasons and have played for top clubs, including a team that got relegated a couple of seasons ago.
In a chat with our editor Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman he was asked about the allegations of players in the league getting involved in betting on games, even the ones that they are involved in.
”It’s a regular and normal practice. In all of my years in the league not for once have we been told that betting is illegal. I remember when my friend at Enyimba said their former chairman threatened to sack and arrest any player involved in betting I was shocked”, he said.
On if he has been approached to fix games before or actually fix some games, he confessed that he has fixed games and also made a huge killing from betting as well.
”While I was at a club that was definitely going to be relegated. We were to play against a top team that many expected to beat us, so the odd was heavily against us. A couple of us who were to start the game were approached by one of our team staff with an offer from a foreign company. The deal was straight forward and he told us we should just do our best that the referees have been sorted as well. We got around 2 million naira each. Also we smartly bet on the game and made extra cash. I have had such offers and complied three other times”, he stated.
We sought to know from him if he feels any remorse after knowing that active football players are not allowed to bet, the soon to be 32 year old said he has no regrets over what almost everyone in the league is doing.
”Like I said earlier. It’s a general thing which I can’t regret. We go months without salaries or even live on half salary. These betting sites help us a lot and the foreign guys who want favour from us pay us more than what we get in three months. Go and verify every sector in the league from referees, coaches, administrators and back room staff are involved”.
