Special Court extends judicial remand of match-fixing accused footballers

KATHMANDU: The Special Court on Sunday extended the judicial remand of the five Nepali footballers, who are accused of match-fixing in international games, for seven more days, with effect from Saturday.

Police had presented suspended skipper of Nepal's national team Sagar Thapa, his deputy Sandip Rai, goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, and former defenders Bikash Singh Chhetri and Anjan KC before the Babarmahal-based Special Court seeking an extension of judicial custody for eight more days. They face treason charges.

The Special Court ordered the extension of custody for the second time as sought by police for further investigation, a court official said, "As police said they are yet to receive details of money sent by international agents (bookies) to the defendants, letter from All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and record statements in writing from the arrested among other things for further investigation."

Justices Mohan Raman Bhattarai, Narendra Shiwakoti and Bhupendra Prasad Rai heard the case today.

Speaking briefly with the media while they were being taken to the Special Court, Sagar Thapa and Ritesh Thapa said that they are innocent.

"First of all, we are innocent. Please do look up to us with positive perspective till the Court delivers its verdict," Sagar said, "Police are doing their work."

"We are cooperating (with police)," said Ritesh, standing by the side of Sagar, "Investigation is yet to be done. We are at the stage of investigation."

"Let's see what happens," he said, "We are but innocent, we want to say this."

The footballers were arrested from different parts of the Kathmandu Valley on October 14 before the Dashain vacation and presented before the Special Court on October 27.

After their arrest, ANFA suspended the footballers from all football-related activities until the full investigation.   Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also followed the suit and provisionally suspended the footballers for 30 days. The AFC further wrote to FIFA seeking worldwide ban on them

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