Indian link to Champions League forum "fix" conspiracy

Mar 18 2008

A MYSTERIOUS informant in India was behind the tip that led to the Champions League draw prediction on the Daily Post website.

All four ties were correctly identified on our Liverpool FC forum 90 minutes before the draw in Switzerland.

The man behind the prediction today revealed it came in a tip-off from Goa.

Identified on the website as “Confused”, the internet user asked to remain anonymous, but said he had been told the draw by two different contacts.

He said one of them received a “one-off” call from Goa with the information on Tuesday.

The forum poster was so convinced he decided to place a £200 stake on the draw – but couldn’t find a bookmaker to take his money.

He said: “A friend received the call from abroad but was struggling to find someone who would take his money.

“No-one would take my money either.”

Several bookmakers said it was usual practice not to open a book on cup draws.

But William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe insisted the company would have offered 7-1 as the odds on one particular team drawing another.

He said: “Football fans are very interested in the outcome of a draw, but they are generally not interested in putting money on it. We were taking bets but there weren’t many made.

“It is hardly surprising someone had guessed a draw with limited options.

“There is nothing untoward going on. What would be the point? There would have to be so many people involved.”

The man’s post sparked a huge demand to log onto the website, so big that it caused the forum to crash several times throughout the day.

Former Russia goalkeeper Rinat Dasaev made the draw, which was televised live from Nyon, standing beside Uefa general secretary David Taylor.

Uefa spokesman William Gaillard said the draw was 150% honest and claimed the forum user “must have supernatural powers”.