Asia chiefs ‘monitor’ China match-fixing scandal

BEIJING, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) remains committed to curing the game of the “disease” of match-fixing and is monitoring the ongoing scandal in China.

More than 20 officials, players and club managers, including the former head of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and his deputy, have been arrested or detained in the last two months on suspicion of match-fixing.

“AFC has always taken a very strong stance against match-fixing,” the continental governing body said in a statement on Tuesday. “This is a disease that needs to be cured with strict sanctions along with educational programmes.

“The situation in China right now is an ongoing police investigation. It would be inappropriate to jump into conclusions or to speculate on the details or the outcome before the investigation is complete,” it continued.

“AFC will continue to monitor the situation in China and await the results of the investigation.”

Former CFA head Nan Yong, who was arrested by Chinese police last month, sits on the AFC’s Professional League committee. His former deputy Yang Yimin, who also lost his job after being detained, is a member of the AFC’s Competition Committee.

Nan’s replacement Wei Di gives his first news conference in his new job in Beijing later on Tuesday.