Varbergs BoIS defender Ibrahim Koroma denies match-fixing allegation
Swedish based Sierra Leone defender Ibrahim Koroma (in photo) has said he felt betrayed after he was suspended with 14 others over match-fixing allegations.
The allegations relate to a World Cup qualifier in 2008 against South Africa, which ended goalless.
Speaking to BBC Sports, the former FC Kallon defender Koroma 25 was very much depressed. “I will face an investigation anytime, anywhere; I know I am innocent. I feel like I have been betrayed by my country,” Koroma told BBC Sport.
“It has left a bitter taste in my mouth. I can’t do anything normal because this is really strange. I received the suspension by email and I replied, I am willing to face any investigation anytime, anywhere in the world. I have played for my country from Under-17s right up to the senior level and I have always had a good feeling playing for my country.
The game they accused me of match-fixing was one of my best games for my country. As a young player at that time I was so proud of myself because we were the underdogs against South Africa and we went there and we gave everything we had to get a draw. I am really disappointed and shocked by the allegation of match-fixing. I deny it 100%. I have not had anything to do with match-fixing. I have never been involved in match-fixing in my entire career.”
Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Sports, said in a statement on Wednesday they had had received “credible and tangible information” on the alleged involvement of the group in match-fixing.
Because the ban is not yet enforced by FIFA, Koroma is still able to play for his club Varbergs in the Swedish league’s second tier.
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Natasha Conteh
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AM REALLY DISSAPOINTED IN SIERRA LEONE . THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED BY A SO CALLED ISHA IS JUST INSANE . MATCH FIXING , THIS MATHC FIXING YOU ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT ENDED GOALLESS SO THAT AINT MATCH FIXING ANYMORE . THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR SIERRA LEONE LIVING THEIR JOBS , FAMILY , FRIENDS JUST TO COME AND MAKE THEIR COUNTRY PROUD , AT THE END LOOK WHAT THEY GET . EVEN IF YPU GUYS HAVE INFORMATION WONT YOU GUYS CALL EVERYONE TOGETHER AND ASK THEM THAN TO DESTROY THEIR CAREER BASED ON AN ACCUSATION WITHOUT FOUNDATION . I THANK SIERRA LEONE FOR PAYING OUR PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS WITH RESPECT. IF YOU GUYS HAVE PROOF ESPECIALLY ISHA JOHNSON WELL PROOF IT TO THE WORLD JUST LIKE YOU ANNOUNCED A ACCUSATION WITHOUT FOUNDATION TO THE WORLD .
26th July 2014