Sports
Investigation Clears S’Africa In Match Fixing Probe
A Fifa investigator says that the first stage of his probe into international match-fixing has turned up no evidence implicating South Africans.
A handful of Bafana Bafana games in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup are under investigation, including friendlies against Colombia and Guatemala.
But security head Chris Eaton revealed that convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal convinced South Africa’s FA to appoint referees through his company.
Perumal is currently in a Finnish jail.
The Singaporean was jailed for two years in July 2011 for his part in a match-fixing scandal in Finland’s top division.
Perumal is also believed to have played a role in Zimbabwe’s tour of Asia where a number of international matches were fixed, although the current probe centres on games involving South Africa shortly before the 2010 World Cup.
The outcome of friendlies against Thailand, Colombia, Bulgaria and Guatemala in the weeks leading up to the tournament are all in question after Fifa found the match officials had been provided by a Singapore-based company fronting for match fixers.
Eaton’s comments follow a four-day trip by Fifa’s outgoing security director to Johannesburg to interview those involved and investigate any potential duplicity.
“Firstly, it is clear that the convicted criminal and football match-fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal, was involved in convincing Safa to agree to a company then managed by him to select, fund and appoint referees to certain international matches played in 2010 which are now under investigation,” Eaton was quoted as saying in a Safa statement.
“It should also be said that to date there is no information, suggestion or evidence that any player or team, including the national South Africa team, was in any way complicit with any attempt to manipulate a match.”
In May 2010, the month prior to the World Cup, the tournament hosts beat Colombia 2-1 and Guatemala 5-0 in two friendlies.
The games were notable for featuring the awarding of three penalties apiece in both games.
As Eaton enters the second stage of his probe, which is being handled with the full cooperation of Safa, the Australian has stressed the need to interview more referees and review further documents.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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