FIFA on Tuesday (July 1) declined to comment on whether it was investigating match-fixing allegations regarding Cameroon's World Cup matches.
During a media briefing at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium FIFA's Head of Media, Delia Fischer said that soccer's governing body could not reveal information on any possible investigation so as to not "jeopardise" any proceedings.
"Look, I think our take on the question there is that we have said consistently prior to the FIFA World Cup and now during it; we do not provide any comments as to whether or not an investigation is underway with regards to any alleged manipulation in any match amongst others, so as to not compromise any possible investigations," Fischer told reporters.
"In accordance with article 88 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which everybody of you… and it's on FIFA.com as we've mentioned a couple of times, and/or article 36, paragraph 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which is also available on FIFA.com, it would be only after a decision has been taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee or the FIFA Ethics Committee and first notify to the parties concerned that FIFA would be in a position to communicate the contents of that decision publicly.
"Generally speaking, the integrity of the game is a top priority for FIFA and as such we take any allegations of match manipulation very seriously. That has the integrity of us for all the aspects including the brand of FIFA and all the aspects on there.
"And FIFA continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies as well as the respective public authorities and other sports organisations on the national, regional and global level to tackle the issue of match manipulation and encourage anyone, anyone of you, with information about any suspicious matches to contact relevant authorities such as through FIFA's integrity hotline or email address and confidential reporting system.
"We also have a background paper on that on the FIFA media channel which gives you all the background information. And really, please understand, we cannot comment any further on this to say whether or not we are doing any investigations into any alleged manipulations for matches.
"Because we would jeopardise anything. So really, there is nothing more we can say to that today and there is a standard procedure which we've done before, during and after the World Cup on that on this matter."
On Monday (June 30) Cameroon's football federation, FECAFOOT, said it would investigate claims of match-fixing in their World Cup group games, especially the match against Croatia.
A statement from Joseph Owona, president of the federation's normalisation committee, said its ethics committee had been instructed to investigate the claims.
Cameroon lost all three Group A matches, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia.
The allegations against Cameroon came from convicted fraudster Wilson Raj Perumal, who had accurately forecast the result and the fact a player would be sent off in a discussion with German magazine Der Spiegel.
Cameroon midfielder Alex Song was sent off before halftime for a needless elbow in the back of Croatia's Mario Mandzukic near the halfway line, leaving his side to battle with 10 men for the majority of the game.
The game was also marred by an incident near the end when Benoit Assou-Ekotto attempted to head-butt team mate Benjamin Moukandjo.
Cameroon's federation subsequently launched an investigation into the incident but has yet to give any update on possible disciplinary action.
The latest controversy adds to a long list for African teams at the World Cup.
Both Ghana and Nigeria, now out of the tournament, were embroiled in disputes over money in Brazil.
Ghana had two players sent home, Sulley Muntari for hitting an official and Kevin-Prince Boateng for allegedly swearing at the coach.
REUTERS