Fifa Launch Argentina Vs Nigeria Match-fixing Probe

Argentine FIFA attack-dog Julio Grondona faces huge embarrassment after the world governing body's match-fixing unit opened a probe into his homeland's friendly defeat in Nigeria.

Grondona led the assault on the FA and the British media "lies" in Zurich this week after the failed attempt to delay President Sepp Blatter's re-election coronation.

But Grondona's demand to "leave the FIFA family alone" looked a sick joke after a second-string Argentine side, which included Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta, Liverpool's Emiliano Insua and former Wigan striker Mauro Boselli got beaten 4-1 in Lagos on Wednesday.

The match contained two disputed penalty decisions by referee Ibrahim Chaibou from Niger, including one in the 98th minute of the game for a 'ghost' handball that saw Boselli score a consolation goal.


That penalty saw hundreds of thousands of pounds which had been wagered worldwide on trading exchanges on there being less than five goals in the game suddenly lost to syndicates.

VIDEO: Watch the match highlights here and decide for yourself

FIFA confirmed last night that a full-scale investigation is under way.

A FIFA spokesman told MirrorSport: "FIFA can confirm that the match between Nigeria and Argentina is one that we have an active interest in, and forms part of a wider ongoing FIFA investigation.

"In particular, FIFA will be working closely with colleagues at the FIFA Early Warning System."

The news of the investigation is a massive problem for Blatter loyalist Grondona, who is also being sued by Diego Maradona over claims the former Argentina coach is still suffering drug problems.

Grondona, who sparked outrage when he said "we know the Jews don't like hard work", also offered to vote for England's 2018 World Cup bid if Argentina were handed the Falkland Islands.

Blatter himself hit back at his British critics yesterday, suggesting that the corruption allegations "astonishingly, always comes from the same corners" although admitting: "I have been given good a beating and I have two cauliflower ears."

The Swiss is ready to sanction a re-opening of the decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup after major sponsors Adidas joined German FA chief Theo Zwanziger in demanding the allegations of corruption be investigated.

In a statement, the sportswear giant pledged its continued loyalty to FIFA, but added: "The negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA including its partners and we hope that FIFA will do its best to reach clarity on the allegations soon."

And Blatter pointed at the claims against his suspended rivals Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner to promise major change as he added: "In the executive are people who are chosen by the confederations.

"After two members were suspended in November, I knew I must do something. As for the allegations about corruption, I have already said I would deal with this after the Fifa Congress."