WATCH: Players in Delhi Football League match concede dubious-looking own goals to spark match-fixing fears | Football News
Match-fixing allegations were levelled at a Delhi Football League match on Monday when Ahbab FC, who were winning the match 4-0, conceded two dubious-looking own goals late in their game against Rangers FC. The match finished 4-2 in favour of Ahbab FC.
The incident gained traction on social media after videos of the two goals surfaced online. In the first instance, Ahbab FC players can be seen passing the ball in and around their own half with no pressure or players from Rangers near, in the 86th minute of the match.
The ‘move’ ended with one of the Ahbab player lobbing the ball back into his own net for a goal, with the keeper standing away from the goal post.
https://t.co/wclleyfHfE I tweeted about it in January mid – no one did anything- again I have been proven right – can you believe they are not even trying to hide it now @FootballDelhi – these club owners are ruining the game – how the actual hell can we develop as a footballing… pic.twitter.com/dQ82HSTKCj
— Ranjit Bajaj (@THE_RanjitBajaj) February 19, 2024
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The second own goal was far more blatant as one of the Ahbab players lashed the ball into his own net just before the referee blew the full-time whle.
Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj flagged the incident on his X account and said, “I can guarantee that fixing is rampant in the @FootballDelhi senior premier division- that’s why we true to play In it ever again till they take action.” Bajaj also stated in another post that the main partner of the Delhi Soccer Association was a betting company.
All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey announced that there were serious suspicions that were aroused based on the videos and that the premier footballing body of India would be investigating the incident along with findings from other incidents over the past few months when it came to suspicious matches.
“We’ve been made aware of videos circulating on SM,raising serious suspicion on the Delhi Premier League. Prima facie, it’s very concerning. Past few months we’re collecting hard evidence on suspicious matches with continuous investigation to eliminate such instances fm #IndianFootball” said Chaubey on X.