KUALA LUMPUR — Asian soccer was left reeling from another match-fixing scandal Wednesday, with the AFC investigating a report from Lebanon where 24 players have been sanctioned following allegations that international and regional games were rigged. The Lebanese Football Federation Tuesday announced the punishments, including lifetime bans for Malaysian-based defender Ramez Dayoub and Indonesian-based forward Mahmoud El-Ali, which center on international fixtures and AFC Cup matches, the second tier regional club tournament. “We have received a report today and our disciplinary committee are looking into it,” the AFC told Reuters Wednesday. The two-month investigation involving over 60 witnesses was led by the general secretary of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), Fadi Zreiqat, who said the players had the right to appeal the decision. WAFF President, AFC executive committee member and FIFA Vice President Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein told Reuters of his disappointment “I am concerned by the findings, which are very serious. This case is testimony to the importance of working hand in hand to combat this global problem,” the Jordanian royal said. “I also commend the Lebanon Football Association for their leadership in this regard and their full cooperation with the two-month investigation.” Dayoub, who along with Ali was fined $15,000, denied the allegations and said he would fight to clear his name. “I am not guilty. They have suspended me and accused me of match-fixing without any evidence or proof,” Dayoub told FOX Sports. “This is a serious allegation and I have no doubt there's something behind this. “If I really am guilty of match-fixing, FIFA will investigate and suspend me, not the Lebanese FA.” Lebanon is still in the running to qualify for its first World Cup Finals with three matches remaining but any punishment from the AFC or world governing body FIFA could see its hopes dashed. It is bottom of Group A ahead of its trip to leader Uzbekistan on March 26 but a win could see it move up to joint second in the five-team table. The top two teams will earn a place in Brazil in 2014. Dayoub, who joined Malaysian team Selangor last year from Myanmar side Magway FC, last played a World Cup qualifier in June when Lebanon lost 3-0 in South Korea. El-Ali played for Lebanon in the WAFF Championship in December but his side failed to advance to the knockout stages. Another two domestic players, Al-Negma's Mohammad Jaafar and Al-Ahed's Hadi Sahmarani, were banned for three seasons and handed $7,000 fines for their involvement. Another 10 of Sahmarani's teammates at the Lebanese Premier League club were banned for a year and each given $2,000 fines. The club was knocked out in the group stage of the 2012 AFC Cup. Zreiqat said some players had confessed. The news is a further blow to Asian soccer, which has been hit by match-fixing incidents in China, South Korea and Malaysia in recent years, limiting its development on the world stage. — Reuters
