Bimal for punitive measures

MUMBAI, Nov 23: Air-India manager Bimal Ghosh called for stern measures to prevent match-fixing in Indian soccer.

Ghosh chose not to attend tonight8217;s farcical goalless encounter between Churchill Brothers and Mohun Bagan that sent his team out of the competition. Ghosh8217;s presence would have been necessary had Churchill lost 1-2.

When informed of the result and the nature of tonight8217;s encounter, Ghosh said: 8220;Match commissioners and referees must be empowered to call off a match should it appear fixed. A tribunal must then be set up to take erring teams to task.8221;

The topic of match-fixing perturbs Ghosh in light of a sensational defeat to Mumbai rivals Mahindras in the National League preleminaries in Goa last season. A 3-1 win in the concluding league match had seen Mahindras through to the next stage.