Singapore gambler denies World Cup fixing link

Perumal said he was "shocked and amazed" at reports of his actions and apologised to Cameroon, according to a statement he released through the Italian investigative journalist website Invisible Dog.

The allegations were reported by Der Spiegel magazine and the Cameroon Football Federation has since launched an inquiry. But Perumal said he only gave an "informal assessment" of the Cameroon-Croatia game in a Facebook conversation with the journalist.

"At no time did I make reference to four goals being scored or to a red card being issued," he said.

"At no time did I suggest that I had any way of corroborating or substantiating what was meant to be an educated guess based on my extensive match-fixing experience." Perumal said he was not told the comments would be published.

"I am shocked and amazed that a respected magazine such as Der Spiegel would go so far as to fabricate statements," he added.

"I apologize to the Cameroon FA and to its fans if I inadvertently offended them; it was not my intention." Perumal called on Der Spiegel to apologize.

Perumal is now in Hungary, under police protection, and says he has "turned a new leaf" seeking to end his life as a match-fixer. He was arrested in Finland in 2011 and sentenced to five years in prison. He is also wanted in Singapore.

He said he wanted to share his "expertise" with "those willing to truly fight the scourge of match-fixing. When the time is ripe I will share what I know with FIFA and UEFA, but I will not accept that my statements be manipulated at the detriment of others."

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-07-02