Accusations of match-fixing arose during a Delhi Football League match on February 19. Ahbab FC, leading 4-0, conceded two questionable own goals late in the game against Rangers FC. The match concluded 4-2 in favour of Ahbab FC.
The incident sparked attention on social media following the circulation of videos showing the two goals. In the first instance, Ahbab FC players were observed passing the ball in their own half without any pressure or Rangers players nearby, occurring in the 86th minute of the match.
The sequence ended with an Ahbab player accidentally scoring an own goal by lobbing the ball into their own net, while the goalkeeper was positioned away from the goal post.
Watch the video here:
The second own goal was even more apparent, with an Ahbab player striking the ball into their own net just moments before the referee signalled the end of the match.
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Delhi FC Owner Accuses Rampant Match-Fixing
Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj raised concerns about the incident on his X account, stating, “I can guarantee that fixing is rampant in the @FootballDelhi senior premier division- that’s why we true to play In it ever again till they take action.”
Bajaj also mentioned in another post that a betting company was the primary partner of the Delhi Soccer Association.
The AIFF president announced that serious suspicions had been raised based on the videos, prompting India's premier football body to launch an investigation. This probe will include scrutiny of findings from other incidents in recent months involving suspicious matches.
“We’ve been made aware of videos circulating on SM, raising serious suspicion on the Delhi Premier League. Prima facie, it’s very concerning. Past few months we’re collecting hard evidence on suspicious matches with continuous investigation to eliminate such instances fm #IndianFootball” said Chaubey on X.
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