Fixing probe: SA players clean

Johannesburg - The first stage of a FIFA match fixing probe of pre-2010 World Cup Bafana Bafana international matches has been completed, a football official said on Monday.

SA Football Association (SAFA) president Kirsten Nematandani said the investigation was conducted with the full co-operation of SAFA's executive and senior management.

FIFA security head Chris Eaton confirmed the FIFA delegation sent to South Africa had completed its investigations.

"FIFA has concluded the first stage of its security stage one process which has involved interviewing a number of people from SAFA, or formerly from the association, who could assist the investigation," he said.

"Interviews with the officiating referees and some forensic documentary material remain outstanding, but with the support of SAFA will be undertaken as soon as possible."

Eaton believed, based on material provided by SAFA, that FIFA could already reach a few conclusions.

"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 [Football4U] to select, fund and appoint referees to certain international matches played in 2010 which are now under investigation," Eaton said.

"It should also be said that to date there is no information, suggestion or evidence that any player or team, including the national South African team, was in any way complicit with any attempt to manipulate a match outcome."

SAFA chief executive Robin Petersen appealed to anyone with material evidence who had not come forward to submit this information directly to his office.

"This investigation will be concluded as fast as humanly possible, while respecting due process and extending full opportunities for anyone to contribute to arriving at the complete truth of these matters," Petersen said.