Former S-League player says he will plead guilty to all allegations

Former S-league player Gaye Alassane, who is being detained without trial for being part of a global match-fixing ring, now says he is prepared to plead guilty to all the allegations against him.

In a bid to end his detention, the 39-year-old, who in the past denied any links to match-fixing, adds that he is also willing to testify in any criminal trial.

The Singaporean, who was born in Mali, has now been confirmed by his lawyer Louis Joseph as one of four men to be detained under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act two months ago for their alleged role in a worldwide "kelong" syndicate.

It is believed that alleged mastermind Dan Tan Seet Eng, wanted by Interpol, is also one of them.

In his detention order, Alassane's criminal activities allegedly include acting as a courier or agent to help fix matches in Egypt, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago between 2010 and 2011.

His case is due to be considered by a Criminal Law Advisory Committee next month, when his lawyer is expected to urge for his client to be placed under police supervision as an alternative to detention. The independent committee will then make its recommendations to the President, who may cancel, confirm or vary the orders.

Mr Joseph , in a letter to the committee, argued that since Alassane admits the allegations against him, he is no longer a danger to public safety - which is one of the reasons for detaining him.

"Subject to instructions from our client, if our submissions are rejected, we would seek judicial review in the High Court," said Mr Joseph, who works for the firm Regent Law.

When asked by The Sunday Times, a Home Affairs Ministry spokesman said: "It is not appropriate for us to comment on the case as it is before the committee.

"For Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act cases, all relevant information and considerations would be taken into account by the various parties involved in the issuance, review and confirmation of a detention order."

The four detained were among 14 suspects arrested during an islandwide raid conducted by the police and anti-graft officers on Sept 17.

This followed a two-year investigation that involved extensive collaboration between the local authorities and their overseas counterparts such as Interpol's Global

Anti-Match-fixing Task Force.

Alassane, who played for Gombak United and Tampines Rovers and had been running the A-Stars Football Academy here before his arrest, has been linked with convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal in the past.

In 2011, Perumal was found guilty by a court in Finland of bribing 11 football players in the Finnish league.

But when asked last year about the links, Alassane is reported to have said: "I've absolutely nothing to do with Perumal... in the past or present."

vijayan@sph.com.sg

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