Richard Kingson reveals World Cup match-fixing bribe

By Robert Summerscales, Reporter | 11 September 2012

Goalkeeper reveals World Cup match-fixing bribe

Former Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Richard Kingson claims that he rejected a £187,000 offer to throw a World Cup match in 2006, while playing for Ghana.

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson has claimed that he rejected a £187,000 offer to throw a World Cup match in 2006.

The 34-year-old says that the bribe was to ensure that his country lost 2-0 to the Czech Republic in the group stage.

He admits that he considered accepting the offer, but decided against doing so following a conversation with his wife.

"In the 2006 World Cup in Germany, we were about to play Czech Republic. By then they were the second best in the world," he told a Nigerian church.

"A Ghanaian led me to some people to take a bribe and it was this woman [his wife] who delivered me and delivered Ghanaians. I was very confused and I didn't know what to do but I called her and told her.

"My wife said: 'Richard, I love you not because of your money, so don't get tempted by this offer to lose your dignity and credibility'."

Ghana beat the Czechs 2-0, with goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari.

Kingson spent four seasons in England, having spells at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool.