Ecuador demand FIFA probe into match-fixing claims

The Ecuadorian football federation (FEF) on Tuesday demanded that world football governing body FIFA open an enquiry into match-fixing claims surrounding their 2006 World Cup match against England.

The FEF appeal follows a report in German daily Bild which claimed the outcome of the last-16 match, which Ecuador lost 1-0 to England following a David Beckham goal, had been influenced by a Paris-based Thailand consortium.

FEF president Luis Chiriboga called for an “exhaustive enquiry” and totally rejected any accusations of involvement in match-rigging, adding that it was now his responsibility to protect the players and coaches.

The Bild story was based on research by Canadian investigative journalist Declan Hill, whose book The Fix was recently published in Germany.

England were defeated by Portugal in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals, with Italy running out winners in the tournament hosted by Germany.