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FIFA probes Argentina's thrashing

Zurich: FIFA is investigating Argentina's 4-1 loss in Nigeria on Wednesday after betting patterns suggested it was targeted by match fixers.

It's the highest profile match yet in a wave of suspicious recent international friendlies, often with goals scored from penalty kicks.

The match “was one that we had an active interest in, and forms part of a wider ongoing FIFA investigation,” football's world governing body said on Saturday.

FIFA was “working closely” with its betting monitoring agency Early Warning System which tracks wagers placed with more than 400 operators worldwide.

Hours before kick off in Abuja on Wednesday, FIFA President Sepp Blatter launched his “Zero Tolerance” campaign to stop corruption in football.

FIFA's 208 member nations in Zurich also passed new rules to control the organization of international matches, including the power to veto referee appointments.

Referee Ibrahim Chaibou of Niger awarded two penalties — one to each side — in Wednesday's game between two teams who played each other at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Nigeria took a 2-0 lead with a 26th minute spot-kick after Chaibou awarded a foul against Argentina defender Federico Fazio.

Five minutes of stoppage time were announced at the end of the match, with play continuing until the 98th minute when Argentina scored with a penalty kick from Mauro Boselli.

Argentina fielded a below-strength line-up without star forwards such as Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria. — AP

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