• World Cup 2014

Match-fixer denies making Cameroon predictions

Wilson Raj Perumal claims he only conversed with a Der Spiegel journalist four days after the Cameroon-Croatia match © Getty Images

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A convicted match-fixer has denied making any predictions around a World Cup fixture that is under investigation by the Cameroon FA.

German publication Der Spiegel had claimed that Wilson Raj Perumal, who has served time for match-fixing in the past, had correctly predicted that Cameroon would lose 4-0 to Croatia in a Group A match in the World Cup in Brazil, as well as have a man sent off.

The Cameroon FA even released a statement to address the situation, announcing that their Ethics Committee was commencing an investigation.

However, Perumal has since published a statement claiming that the Facebook conversation he had with the journalist took place four days after the match and was an assessment of how things might have been manipulated, rather than a prediction that they would be.

He wrote: "Contrary to the 'revelations' published by the German weekly Der Spiegel that were picked up by news outlets worldwide, I did not predict the result of the Cameroon vs Croatia match played on June 18, 2014.

"The Facebook chat with the Der Spiegel journalist took place a few days after the match - June 21st, as confirmed by my Facebook log - and was but an informal assessment of the behavior of the Cameroon team at the Brazil 2014 World Cup after they had played two of their three group stage matches, including the one with Croatia.

"At no time did I make reference to four goals being scored or to a red card being issued. At no time did I suggest that I had any way of corroborating or substantiating what was meant to be an educated guess based on my extensive match-fixing experience. Last but not least: at no time was I informed by the Der Spiegel journalist that our chat was going to end up in the German publication."

Perumal also explained that he would be willing to help FIFA and UEFA in their ongoing battle against match-fixing, but only at a more suitable time.

"I am now back in Hungary where I have testified against my former associates in a local match-fixing trial," he continued. "Kelong Kings [his published memoir] is an honest account of what my life has been like until today.

"I have now turned a new leaf and wish to put my expertise at the disposal of those willing to truly fight the scourge of match-fixing. When the time is ripe I will share what I know with FIFA and UEFA, but I will not accept that my statements be manipulated at the detriment of others."

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