MACC arrests three footballers over match-fixing and bribery (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Three Malaysian Premier League footballers have been remanded for seven days for alleged involvement in match fixing.
Magistrate Nik Isfahanie Tasnim Wan Ab Rahman ordered the three Malaysian Indian Football Association (MIFA) players to be held until next Wednesday following a request by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The three arrived at the magistrate's court here at 10.15am today escorted by MACC officers.
Sources say the players, two locals aged 26 and 27 and a 29-year-old foreigner, received hundreds of thousands of ringgit in bribes for match-fixing over the past few years.
"The players received bribes of between RM10,000 and RM30,000 from bookies to influence the outcome of matches during this season's Premier League campaign," the sources said.
MACC deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Azam Baki, who confirmed the arrests, said the commission will not compromise on such acts, as it tarnishes the reputation of the country’s national sport.
"The commission will investigate the football players and we will take action if needed," he said.
It is learnt that one of the players is a defender aged 29 and the other two - a goalkeeper and a defender - are locals, aged 26 and 27.
They are being investigated under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act.