KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 -- Allegations of bribery in the professional soccer league, Tuesday prompted the Football Association of Malaysia to offer a reward of up to $77,200 for information leading to a conviction. FAM Deputy President Prince Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said, 'We must take action now. We do not want this to drag on as we are going to host the next World Youth World Cup in 1997, which is actually not far away.' Police and the Anti-Corruption Agency have been called upon the help in the investigation of the alleged bribes on players, who were reported of fixing matches. Teams from 14 Malaysian states and two guest teams from Singapore and Brunei are taking part in the annual $70,000 tournament. The tournament begins in May and ends late October. Each team may field three imported players. The ACA is investigating four Malaysian state teams while Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau has brought its import Czech striker Michal Vana and referee T. Rajamanikam to court. They were charged separately Saturday with taking bribes to influence match results. Vana, 31, is due to appear in court Sept. 2, to answer claims he 'fixed' five matches to ensure victory for Singapore. Singapore after its narrow (2-1) victory over its nearest rival, Kedah, is leading the table. Singapore need only one point against Brunei Tuesday to clinch the Premier league title but its possible that it may not remain in their hands for long after Sept. 2.
Brunei is at the bottom of the table, with only two wins after playing 29 matches. Prince Abdullah said if the court finds Vana guilty as charged, FAM might have to declare the results of the matches in question as null and void. Singapore may have to forfeit their title. Officials said four Malaysian players admitted to being 'on the take.' State deputy president Ibrahim Saad said that the three confessed that they received $6,000 each to fix the April 30 match against Singapore while the fourth admitted receiving $400 for 'running errands' for the bookies and the three players. The east Malaysian state of Sabah, on the Borneo island, suspended five of its players after they lost badly to Singapore (7-0).
