Fifa's former head of security, Chris Eaton, last night claimed the world governing body has investigated the 2010 World Cup match between Nigeria and Greece for suspected match-fixing.

Greece came from behind to defeat their African opponents 2-1 in Bloemfontein – a comeback which was facilitated by the dismissal of Nigeria's Sani Kaita after 33 minutes. Kaita kicked out at Vasilis Torosidis after both players had briefly tangled as they tried to win the ball

[img]http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Sani+Kaita+Oscar+Ruiz+Greece+v+Nigeria+Group+WTSz34pLnEil.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Sani+Kaita+Oscar+Ruiz+Greece+v+Nigeria+Group+1r3dwdLzh3Ul.jpg[/img]

Channel 4 News were unable to get a comment from Kaita or his agent.

Speaking to Channel 4 News, Eaton said the match has been under active investigation, as was a national federation – and that Fifa's anti-corruption unit has also been contacted by a footballer playing in the Championship expressing concerns over corruption.

In the past, Fifa has confirmed that friendlies and tournament qualifiers have come under suspicion, but has so far denied that any matches in the World Cup finals have been tainted.

Worryingly, Eaton, who is now the International Centre for Sport Security's director of sport integrity, claims that the corruption is embedded in the global game and that referees and other officials are targeted.

"A referee approached a member of the Fifa investigation team and told him that he is the only person with any honesty and integrity in the room," said Eaton.

"How many officials? It may not be thousands but it would certainly be hundreds. We have a number of clubs and federations who are actively under investigation today to see the extent to which criminal infiltration has taken a hold of their decision- making processes."

In spite of Eaton's comments, Fifa denies it is conducting match-fixing investigations relating to any of the matches in the tournament in South Africa two years ago.

Before Eaton left Fifa, his unit was in the midst of an investigation into a 2010 World Cup group game between Nigeria and Greece. This is the first time such a high level game has been the subject of a confirmed investigation.

The incident in question is the red card awarded to Nigerian player Sani Kaita in the 33rd minute of the match. Eaton suspects this foul may have been pre-arranged with a fixer to enable them to bet on when it would take place - a form of spot-fixing.

"It's a manifestation of, potentially anyway, a manifestation of an attempt at a fraud that is, is unique...and perhaps to be replicated in the future, so we have to be cautious about it."

Eaton is reluctant to talk further about the incident now that he's left as he thinks the investigation is ongoing.

Channel 4 News contacted Kaita's agent in attempt to get his reponse to the allegations, but we received no reply.

Fifa denied there was an official investigation into the match but said such matters were the responsibility of its security unit.

hakwise: Nigeria ....una don carry this corruption a step further hmmm..!!

otokx: Junk journalism

zobo-i-zee:
we were beaten fair and squarely. No corruption abeg. Some people just like to create headline news.

XFive: I know you are from Burundi

maclatunji:

This looks like British Press gone mad!

omar22:

The brits exposinging Amos Adamu which ultimately led to England not getting the right to host the 2018 WC! The British Press would do some serious damage

hakwise: Nigeria ....una don carry this corruption a step further hmmm..!!

ebamma: the brits exposinging,i neva hear this kind english before,abi you relate with patience jonathan?