Korean keeper admits match-fixing

A former South Korea goalkeeper has become the first player to confess to K-League match-fixing in return for a reduced penalty.

The player, whose name is being withheld, is a member of Jeonbuk Motors’ squad but was reportedly engaged in match-fixing while on the books at Chunnam Dragons last season.

He also served as a back-up custodian for the national team in 2008, though he was never capped.

K-League secretary Ahn Gi-Heon said the player had come forward voluntarily following the arrest of a former Dragons team-mate.

“The goalkeeper first informed his Jeonbuk head coach Choi Kang-Hee last Friday night,” Ahn told Yonhap news agency.

“After speaking with Lee Chul-Geun, general manager of Jeonbuk, we decided to hand the case over to prosecutors.”

Ten players – eight from Daejeon Citizens – have already been indicted and suspended for life for their involvement in the growing scandal, which first surfaced in May.

An 11th player, Pohang Steelers midfielder Kim Jung-Kyum, was handed a five-year ban for betting on a game after a tip-off from another player.

In May, former K-League player Jeong Jong-Gwan committed suicide in a Seoul hotel room and left a suicide note confessing his participation in the corruption ring.

Players have until the end of this month to own up to match-fixing in return for a more lenient punishment from the K-League Association.