adminTWO Belize players who rejected a bribe ahead of a Gold Cup match against the United States have been praised for their “bravery”. Woodrow West and Ian Gaynair notified Concacaf, the football federation for North America, of an approach ahead of their group stage game on Tuesday.Concacaf said it recognised the players’ “bravery and commitment to preserving the integrity of our game”.
Belize, appearing in their first Gold Cup, lost 6-1 to the US in Portland.
The confederation, responsible for football in the Caribbean, together with North and Central America, has launched a full investigation alongside Fifa, the world’s governing body.
It claims to be aware of the individual who attempted to orchestrate the match-fixing.
Former Concacaf president Jack Warner resigned from his role as Fifa vice-president in June 2011 after being suspended pending an investigation into bribery allegations.
He and fellow Fifa member Mohamed Bin Hammam were alleged to have paid bribes of £600 000 to Caribbean associations.
The Gold Cup, Concacaf’s biannual tournament of 12 teams, is currently being held in the United States with the final on 28 July.-BBC.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo