World Cup format encourages match-fixing, says Rashid Latif
By ANIMonday, February 28, 2011
KARACHI - Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif believes that the current World Cup format encourages match-fixing.
Latif said that the 14-team line-up for the six-week tournament opens the door to corruption on the back of bribes from illegal sub-continental bookmakers.
“The formation is such that even if a top team loses a match or two this really will not stop it from qualifying for the quarterfinals,” the Daily Times quoted Latif, as saying.
“It is obvious that the real competition will only start from the quarter-final stage. This means it encourages bookmakers to try to corrupt players to indulge in white collar spot-fixing crime in the group matches,” he added.
Latif further said that the event in the future should be restricted to the leading eight test teams. (ANI)
