IFA To Investigate Match Betting
The Irish Football Association is to launch an inquiry into allegations that an Irish League game was fixed as part of a betting scam.
The investigation concerns Glenavon's 4-0 win over Armagh City. Both clubs refute the allegations.
The IFA may interview players as part of its investigation.
"Too much information has come to me already that suggests that we can't let it slip," IFA chief executive Howard Wells said.
The IFA will make a request to the public to come forward with any information.
The sport's local governing body will also seek statements from both clubs, which may lead to players involved in the game being interviewed.
"We have to be seen as a governing body to be taking matters like this very seriously. We gather there is information out there that would be of interest to us." added Mr Wells.
Glenavon's win boosted their chances of avoiding the relegation play-off spot.
Some bookmakers had raised concerns about unusual betting patterns.
Bookmaker Adrian Eastwood said "a number of punters who wouldn't be well known to us came in wanting to place large bets on the match".
"The word on the street was that Glenavon would win, and win comfortably."
Armagh City manager Colin Malone said he was disappointed at the allegations. "As far as we are concerned at Armagh, it's a nonsense," he said. "That certainly wouldn't be happening - as far as my players are concerned, I back them 100%."
In a statement, Glenavon boss Jimmy Brown said the allegations of a "so-called scam" were "disappointing", "untrue" and took away from his team's "superb win".
Three of Glenavon's goals were scored in the last 12 minutes, including two own goals from Armagh.
Glenavon fan Ian McCullough said it would be a sad blow for Irish League football if the scam was proven to be true.
"People are now saying there were rumours going round on Friday and Saturday, with text messages," he said. "There's a lot of people who pay a lot of money to watch games and you hope it's played in the right spirit."
