Exclusive: CSL comment on fixed games

The Canadian Soccer League has released a statement about the recent match-fixing revelations regarding a 2009 match between Toronto Croatia and Trois-Rivières Attak, the one-time feeder club for Montréal Impact.

The statement reads:

CBC Report on Match Fixing in the CSL
The Canadian Soccer League was aware of accusations that a regular season league game of September 12, 2009 between the home side Trois-Rivieres Attak and Toronto Croatia played at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and won 4-1 by Trois-Rivieres Attak, was tampered with in favour of certain betting interests in Europe.

 The CSL investigated the matter and was not able to reach a conclusion that the allegations were true. FIFA was also aware of the accusations and we have yet to receive any information from them on this matter.

 The CSL will study carefully all of the information reported in the match fixing story by CBC on September 11.

 The CSL has and will continue to co-operate with the CBC on this story and if necessary, whatever law enforcement or immediate governance federations that may be involved.

 Match fixing in soccer is prevalent in many parts of the world and is a threat to the game.

 The Canadian Soccer League continues its pledge to take the necessary steps  to prevent any activity considered to be tampering with the outcome of any CSL matches in the future.

 Canadian Soccer League

September 13, 2012

This press release is dated from a week ago, but wasn’t publicized to my knowledge, with both the league’s twitter feed and web page still silent on the matter as of September 20.