Match-Manipulation: The new menace that threatens Indian football

Last week, the Mizoram Football Association (MFA) issued bans to players implicated in corruption.

Three clubs—Sihphir Venghlun FC, FC Bethlehem, and Ramhlun Athletic FC—were banned for three years, along with three match officials.

Additionally, 25 players received bans, and two players, Lalnunzama (Chanmari FC) and L Lotha (FC Bethlehem) received lifetime bans.

The move sparked a domino effect that saw similar actions being enforced by the Goa and Meghalaya Football Associations.

And just like that, the unsavory topic of match-fixing in Indian football emerged to the surface yet again.

Football in the country has never been free of nefarious activities but the latest episode sparks the question - what really is taking place in the underbelly of Indian football?

Suspicious activity

Jonathan De Sousa, Vice President of the Goa Football Association, explained to The Bridge, that these actions are part of a larger, coordinated effort to rid the game of corruption.

Earlier this year, the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) suspended Ahbab Football Club pending an investigation following allegations of match-fixing.

The controversy began when a video from the Delhi Premier League went viral.

In the video, Ahbab FC players score own-goals when comfortably leading 4-0 in a game against Rangers SC, before winning with a score line of 4-2.

The All India Football Federation had launched an inquiry on that particular match.

De Sousa said that it is instances that this that they are 'committed to fighting.'

When news of the Mizoram FA banning players emerged, the Goa FA reviewed its list of players under investigation, particularly after an integrity team flagged a game earlier this season between Dempo Sports Club and Vasco Sports Club, marking the start of a major inquiry.

In the match, Vasco's players suspiciously scored two own goals, raising serious concerns.

“It was so obvious — one was a silly back pass by a defender, and then the goalkeeper kicked the ball into his own net,” recalled De Sousa.

Following this, five players were summoned by the Goa FA’s disciplinary committee, with two receiving lifetime bans.

Lalnunzama, who was among these players, also appeared on Mizoram FA’s banned list, facing a lifetime ban from both associations.

However, this is not a new phenomenon in the Goa Football League.

According to De Sousa, match-fixing in Goa has been 'rampant' since around 2020, with integrity teams flagging up to 30 suspicious matches in a single year.

However, since Goa FA’s new committee took over in 2022, proactive measures have been put in place to address the issue.

De Sousa noted, “Since 2022, we decided to work on this. We started calling players for inquiry, transferred cases to the crime branch, and educated players about the repercussions of match-fixing.”

But before getting to the measures, it is important to understand the modus operandi pertaining to manipulations.

What is Match Manipulation?

While many associate match-fixing with altering the final score, match manipulation is an entirely different ball-game.

De Sousa explained that in addition to altering game outcomes, manipulation can also focus on 'event-specific betting.'

“There is something called event-specific betting. For example, you might bet on the entire team getting four or more yellow cards, or on conceding a goal after the 80th minute. You might still win 3-1, but concede a goal at a specific time to fulfill a betting condition,” De Sousa shared.

Betting sites provide numerous betting options. While these are intended for entertainment, they unfortunately create avenues for match-fixing and manipulation.

Offering bets beyond just the final outcome, they allow wagers on several specific events, making it easier for players or syndicates to influence a game without raising immediate suspicion.

Event-specific betting is where players become susceptible and this leads to 'Spot-fixing'.

For instance, an event-specific bets can be be placed on things like yellow cards, throw-ins, or goals at certain times.

Such events allow punters to place bets by predicting specific in-game actions that don't always affect the outcome of a game.

That said, fixers, in cahoots with a player, can manipulate a game.

For example, a player can intentionally cause a yellow card or time a throw-in within a specified period, enabling spot-fixers to manipulate the game without drawing as much attention as changing the final score would.

De Sousa explained, “You might not affect the result of the match... but there are bets on specific instances, like a team conceding a goal after the 80th minute or getting four or more yellow cards."

The role of integrity teams

Integral to identifying such foul play is the role of integrity partners and investigative teams, whose work involves scrutinizing match footage, tracking betting patterns, and flagging suspicious activities for deeper examination.

In Goa, integrity teams have been vigilant, issuing red flags and identifying games with irregular patterns that could indicate manipulation.

De Sousa noted that several matches are placed under the scanner on a need

“Our integrity partners have red-flagged many matches. In 2022, in just seven days, four matches were flagged.”

Such alerts trigger a review, leading to deeper investigations when certain incidents align with patterns associated with match-fixing cases.

For De Sousa, education is one of the most critical tools in combating match-fixing.

Goa FA has implemented mandatory workshops where players and officials acquire knowledge about the tactics of manipulation and the potential consequences.

De Sousa explained that players are educated about the ill effects of match-fixing.

“We’ve tried to educate them about the bad effects of match-fixing and how they can succumb to pressure, and what the repercussions could be.”

Such are the measures that every player registered for the league must attend an integrity workshop, which emphasizes the legal, ethical, and career risks involved in participating in any form of match manipulation.

While the Goa FA has adopted stringent measures, the problem of manipulation is still rampant across the country.

Systematic manipulation

De Sousa described a systematic pattern where syndicates recruit a group of players who rotate between various state leagues, manipulating matches across the country.

“Players play three or four months in Goa, then move to Delhi, Mizoram, or Meghalaya, switching states in each transfer window,” he said.

The nomadic nature of the players enable match-fixers to remain under the radar, as leagues and disciplinary bodies struggle to track their activity across different regions.

De Sousa observed that identifying a core group of around 20-30 players involved in multiple leagues across states could help associations collectively fight this issue.

“The modus operandi of these syndicates is pretty much the same, and we’re working with Mizoram and Meghalaya to address it.”

The Goa FA, along with other state associations, are now collaborating close these loopholes by sharing information and identifying the network of players involved in match manipulation.

De Sousa credited Mizoram’s proactive approach for sparking a domino effect among other associations.

“I spoke to the Mizoram FA secretary. They started, then we followed, and now Meghalaya has also followed,” he said.

By joining hands, Indian football associations are hoping to dismantle the network that has allowed match-fixing to thrive.

Education and continued vigilance

Goa FA has committed to hosting integrity workshops at key points throughout the season to ensure players are constantly reminded of the consequences of match manipulation.

“We realized some teams registered new players after the initial workshop, so we organized another one in September,” said De Sousa.

With the January transfer window approaching, another workshop will be held to educate incoming players.

“Prevention and education are key. Without attending the workshop, players cannot register for the league,” he added, emphasizing the FA’s zero-tolerance policy.

Match-fixing can affect both professional and grassroots football.

However, with dedicated integrity teams, educational programs, and inter-state collaboration, India’s football associations are taking significant steps toward restoring trust and transparency in the sport.

And while the vast footballing landscape in the country presents plenty of challenges, De Sousa remains hopeful of putting an end to problem to safeguard the game for both the players and the fans.

"If states work together and identify these 40-50 players who are doing these things, I think we can stop this menace,” he concluded.