TOKYO, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The Japan Sumo Association Sunday canceled next month's Spring Grand Sumo Tournament while it gets to the bottom of a match-fixing scandal.
The JSA board of directors agreed to call off the tournament because it would likely create doubts and confusion among fans, Chairman Hanaregoma announced after Sunday's meeting in Tokyo.
"Until we can completely root out corruption in the sport, we cannot show sumo on the ring," said Hanaregoma. "After betraying our fans, we must do everything in our power, acting swiftly to uncover the facts surrounding the scandal as soon as possible."
The cancellation was the first time since 1946 that a grand national sumo tournament has been canceled, the Kyodo news service said.
The allegations involve text messages implicating 14 sumo wrestlers that were uncovered by Tokyo police investigating a baseball gambling case.
The spring tourney was scheduled to begin March 13 in Osaka. Sources told The Yomiuri Shimbun the independent investigation into the scandal was not likely to be concluded before then.
