Foul!

An "academy of match-fixers" operating out of Singapore could be responsible for rigging matches around the world, FIFA's head of security Chris Eaton said in a newspaper interview on Saturday. Eaton was reported saying: "I form the conclusion that Singapore seems to have an academy of match-fixers, and that many of the inquiries we're making on behalf of FIFA are coming back to Singapore." Read here for the full report. It comes to no surprise that several individuals from the Republic have been linked to many cases in and around Singapore. In fact, many believe they are also involved in Malaysia. Some claim Singaporeans had a hand in the Malaysia-Monomotapa United fiasco not too long ago. HD says: And people claim Singapore is clean?

Met up with former Mailsports editor Tony Mariadass at the National Press Club last week as he spoke about life outside the newspaper. "When you're in office, everyone greets you. The moment you quit, no one remembers you." Was at the National Tennis Centre yesterday as a handful of former internationals, most celebrated athletes during their prime, were seen coaching kids. Just passed Ng Joo Ngan's bicycle shop at Jalan Ampang and things seem relatively quiet inside. Joo Ngan was a celebrated cyclist during his time. It looks like we all have a shelf-life. Some a little longer, others expire pre-maturely. But there are those who just seem to last forever. HD says: Enjoy while the sun stills shine.

Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar ( pic ) said: "That shouldn't be the way." National Sports Council director general Zolkples Embong said: "It's common practice." Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said: "It's best to seek OCM's view." They were all standing side by side when I asked them if it is common practice for our "gymnasts to buy gifts for judges during competitions". Read more here . HD says: Oh well, I'm wondering if anyone would pay for a round of golf? Anyone?

UPDATE (5.30pm) 1. BAM confirmed Misbun has rejected the offer and that they respect his decision. 2. Wong Mew Choo will start life as a coach from May 1 onwards. 3. Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek says no comment until getting a full report from BAM on Misbun rejecting the offer. It looks like national coach Misbun Sidek will not be back into the national stable. Misbun sent a letter to BAM president Nadzmi Salleh stating his decision last night. Nazdmi is expected to read the contents of the letter at the Exco meeting later (2.30pm). Read all about it in the backpage of today's Mailsports (Misbun Rejects Offer). HD says: Will the Misbun saga finally be over?

Hardly 24 hours earlier the Malaysian Yachting Association cried foul for not receiving their grants from the National Sports Council (NSC) since 2008 - as published here . Now, MYA are all smiles as their sailors are now able to sail the seven seas after assurance by the NSC that the funds will be paid soon as reported here . The question that still lingers; Why wasn't the national training center (pic) in Langkawi constructed in accordance to international specifications, forcing MYA to fork out money? HD says: Is this a case of wrong people being CON-sulted?

"Gymnasts are not deprived of their baggage allowance. They are sometimes asked to carry gifts that we take for the judges for competitions ." That was the response by a National Sports Council staff who liaises with the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation. Read From the Sidelines published in today's Mailsports. Here is the full contents of the email by the NSC staff, based on the allegations made by a coach who once worked in Malaysia: "Dear Mr Shan, Answers to the allegations: Email 1: a) Gymnasts paying exorbitant amounts for leotards by a certain suppliers........... Answer: Leotards are paid by the gymnasts personally and usually it is the parents that deal with the suppliers. The NSC or MGF officials do not at all get involved with suppliers. THe NSC has made purchases of leotards but they are rotated among the gymnasts for competitions. b) ....warning by Australian staff that the police would be called..... Answer: The gymnast in question was Chrystal Li...

I did not attend the Astro Arena 1st anniversary bash as I spent the weekend in Taiping. But I received several phone calls throughout the night. And the most consistent subject was on former national singles coach Misbun Sidek and world No 1 Lee Chong Wei. "No eye contact bro!" I was told. "Chong Wei will not attend if he has to put the legend's jacket on Misbun" confirmed another acquaintance. Photographers claim their request of getting Misbun and Chong Wei to shake hands was turned down. Also, both Misbun and Chong Wei did not answer any queries from the Press - as I was told. This comes as a surprise as Chong Wei once stated that he too would walk out if the national body did not coax Misbun back to the stable. Tension, tension. That aside, the Tourism Ministry may fund international badminton tournaments in the future - as reported in today's Mailsports. And that's good news. At least they don't need to spend millions on events that hardly f...