Football governing body takes decisive action following investigation into suspicious activities, with five players banned for their involvement in fixing matches between 2020 and 2023
Panaji
Goa Football Association (GFA) has taken strong action against match-fixing in Goan football by imposing lifetime bans on five players. The players, including Lalnunzama, Lalnunsiama, Lalawmpuia, Flavius Lalruatkima, and L. Lotha, were found to be involved in match-fixing activities that affected Goan clubs between 2020 and 2023.
Lalnunzama, who was also banned by the Mizoram Football Association (MFA), is a central figure in the ongoing investigation. The other four players were linked to suspicious activities in matches involving Goan clubs in recent years.
The GFA’s investigation into match-fixing began earlier this season after several strange incidents raised suspicions. Jonathan De Souza, the Vice-President of the GFA, explained in a recent interview that the issue first became noticeable in the Goa Pro League (GPL). In the opening match of the season, Vasco SC scored two highly suspicious own goals, which immediately caught the attention of the association.
"We immediately launched an inquiry after the first round of the GPL and started questioning the players involved," De Souza said. Through the inquiry, the GFA gathered evidence of suspicious behavior, leading to the lifetime bans on the five players.
De Souza explained that the investigation focused primarily on non-Goan players, but there are also ongoing suspicions regarding several Goan players. While he did not reveal any names, he confirmed that about 10 Goan players have been questioned as part of the inquiry. "We cannot name the players yet, but we are actively investigating the matter," he said. The GFA is also working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that all involved parties are held accountable.
The GFA's actions come after a series of similar scandals in Indian football. The Mizoram Football Association (MFA) has already banned several players and clubs involved in match-fixing activities within the Mizoram Premier League, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.
The investigation into match-fixing in Goan football is not new. According to De Souza, match-fixing has been a problem since around 2018 or 2019. The GFA started monitoring betting data and analyzing red-flag matches in 2020 to curb the issue. De Souza stated that match-fixing was already happening unofficially before the GFA began tracking these activities.
"We started paying closer attention to betting patterns and suspicious matches in 2020," he explained. "Before that, match-fixing had been taking place for a few years, but it wasn’t as visible."
The GFA has also taken strong steps to reduce the number of suspicious matches in recent seasons. Since the current committee took over in 2022, the number of red-flagged matches has dropped sharply. In the past, there were as many as 21 matches flagged for suspicion in a single year, but this number has now decreased to just two or three in the 2024 season.
"We are pleased with the progress we’ve made, but it’s still a work in progress," Desouza said. "We continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure that football in Goa remains fair and clean."
The GFA’s efforts to fight match-fixing include tracking players' movements, especially those who play in multiple locations like Goa, Delhi, and Bengaluru. The association is working hard to identify individuals who may be involved in fixing matches and to prevent further incidents from occurring.
Despite these efforts, De Souza emphasized that there is still a lot to be done to completely eliminate match-fixing from Goan football. The GFA plans to continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies, analyzing betting data, and conducting thorough investigations to protect the integrity of the sport.
"We are committed to ensuring that football in Goa is transparent, fair, and free from corruption," Desouza concluded. "We will continue our work with the authorities to stamp out match-fixing once and for all."
The GFA’s decision follows strong actions taken by the Mizoram Football Association against several clubs and players involved in match-fixing during the Mizoram Premier League. The GFA cited the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary code, which prohibits match-fixing and imposes heavy penalties, including bans and fines.
