Hong Kong player admits trying to fix friendly game against Russia U-21

A young Hong Kong footballer has admitted trying to bribe teammates in order to fix an international friendly match against the Russian national youth team, according to AFP citing China Morning Post.

Iu Wai, a 20-year-old defender for Hong Kong’s U-21 side, pleaded guilty to two counts of bribery at a local court on Friday. The report said Iu promised two teammates – a defender and a goalkeeper – «several tens of thousands of dollars» if they helped to deliberately lose a friendly against the Russian youth team.

The duo refused and reported it to the anti-corruption authorities, which staged an unprecedented raid during the November 5 game while 5,000 spectators looked on. Iu was arrested later.

The friendly, which Russia won 2-1, was arranged during a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to the city in April.