KUALA LUMPUR: An internal task force has been created by the Asian Football Confederation to bring its anti-corruption operations in line with those of world federation FIFA writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Alex Soosay, the AFC’s general secretary, followed up this week’s two-day conference on matchfixing by confirming that the task force would aim to coordinate with all relevant bodies and try to educate member associations on weapons for the fight ahead.

In Europe, south-east Asia in particular as the centre of the organised criminality financing matchfixing and sport doping around the world.

The task force will also introduce and implement mechanisms to fight match manipulation in line with the objectives set out in AFC Statutes, AFC Code of Ethics and AFC Disciplinary Code.

Soosay said: “The conference held in Kuala Lumpur, with the help of Interpol and FIFA, raised awareness about the seriousness of this threat in our game.

“By setting up this task force, we would like to coordinate the education, training and implementation of measures through one platform.”

Soosay noted the work already being undertaken in several countries.

He said: “The Chinese Football Association banned 33 people, including two officials, club owners, referees and several star players for life recently which will surely send a strong message to the negative elements.

“Also, the Football Association of Malaysia has initiated polygraph tests for players and this had a positive impact in their fight against match-fixing.

“I would like all our members to follow these examples and join this fight to strengthen the fair play in the game.”

** AFC acting president Zhang Jilong and German federation president Wolfgang Niersbach have signed a Memorandum of Understandingto intensify and continue the partnership between the two bodies in technical and management areas.

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