Indian Football: Match-fixing allegation looms large on Calcutta Football League match

Subash Bhowmick's return to management with Tollygunge might turn sour as FIFA's integrity watchdog deemed their match against Rainbow 'manipulated'..

A Premier Division 'A' match of the 2017 Calcutta Football League (CFL) between Tollygunge Agragami and NBP Rainbow AC has been allegedly deemed 'manipulated' by FIFA's integrity watchdog, Sportradar.



The match held on 25 August 2017 ended up in favour of Subash Bhowmick-coached Tollygunge Agragami who triumphed over the minnows 2-1. It is believed Sportradar had pre-hand information that the game will end in a similar scoreline, thus emanating questions about match-fixing between the two teams.



The -based service provider intimated the All Football Federation's (AIFF) Integrity Officer, Javed Siraj and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) along with the world governing body over the last week.



"I had received a letter a few days after the match that such an incident had occurred in a local Kolkata game. I have written to Mr Utpal Ganguli of the Indian Football Association (IFA) requesting him to carry out the due investigation on that matter and report back his findings", Mr Siraj, who is an ex-CBI officer told Goal.



Utpal Ganguli, secretary of the IFA, governing body of the sport in West Bengal acknowledged the receipt of the letter from Siraj. "I have received a letter from AIFF's Integrity Officer regarding the same and after studying it, we will decide what to do," he said.



Bhowmick, who had taken charge of the club after the completion of the first three rounds made his return to coaching in competitive football after four years in that particular game. However, the former international was not available for comment.



At present, Tollygunge Agragami sits fifth on the table with seven points and there are only four games to go in the league. Rainbow SC is a spot below, trailing by two points but with one less game in hand.





