Triesman launches FA inquiry

Match-fixing allegations will be taken seriously

Last updated: 16th October 2008

Lord Triesman

Lord Triesman: Keen to find answers

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Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has revealed that recent match-fixing allegations will be investigated.

A Championship encounter between Norwich and Derby at Carrow Road on 4th October has come under scrutiny following extraordinary betting patterns in the Asian market.

The Rams won the game 2-1, but have seen their victory called into question.

MPs Norman Lamb, the MP for Norfolk North, and Norwich North MP Ian Gibson raised the issue in parliament on Thursday, concerned about the image of the game.

The duo called on culture secretary Andy Burnham to look into the matter, while also inviting the FA to conduct their own investigation.

Assurances

Lord Triesman has now confirmed that such action will take place, with the governing body for football in this country keen to get to the bottom of the matter.

"An inquiry has started," he told Sky Sports News.

"I have tried to assure myself that we will do it very thoroughly, because there is no point doing inquiries unless you are very thorough.

"We will do it as expeditiously as we can, but I don't want to do it fast. It is a serious allegation and it will be taken seriously."

Integrity

Lord Triesman also believes that football is a sport which enjoys a fine public image and believes that situation will not be affected by the latest allegations.

"In general I think the game has shown great integrity," he added.

"I don't think we have had the scandals which perhaps, historically, the people in the United States feel they have had around big sporting events.

"I don't think we've suffered from that. But the way to prevent that is to deal with any allegation thoroughly and look at it seriously, that's the way to keep the sport clean."