Malaysia goalkeeper cleared of match-fixing charges

Malaysian international goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee has been cleared of match-fixing allegations after passing a lie-detector test, the country's anti-corruption watchdog has said.

Earlier this month the Terengganu keeper was questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after he clawed a high ball from a corner into his own net in a 1-1 Malaysia Cup draw with Kedah on September 1.

Terengganu's English coach Peter Butler, a former West Ham United midfielder, substituted Sharbinee after the flub and was seen angrily berating the 25-year-old and shoving him off the field.

The anti-corruption agency launched a probe following media reports that the match may have been fixed. Sharbinee has denied wrongdoing, and welcomed the investigation as a way to clear his name.

Mohamad Yusoff Mohamad Zin, Terengganu director for the MACC, said investigations determined Sharbinee was not involved in any corrupt activities, citing evidence from witnesses and the polygraph test.

"The polygraph test revealed no significant reaction that could be linked to corrupt practices as alleged," the MACC official said in a statement on Tuesday.

However, Terengganu FA fined Sharbinee 1,000 ringgit ($327) for throwing a water bottle at Butler after being pulled.

But Butler has faced even stiffer sanctions from the club. The team on Monday imposed a one-month 15-percent cut in salary on Butler for shoving Sharbinee.

Butler has also been suspended for six months and fined 4,000 ringgit for airing alleged disciplinary problems at the club.

He has claimed that two other players brought female guests to their hotel rooms -- one of the players is married, according to media reports -- but a probe revealed there was no evidence to back the allegation.

Allegations of match-fixing have long tainted football in the Southeast Asian nation.

Earlier this year, the country's football association suspended 18 youth players and banned a coach for life for fixing matches.

Malaysian football has struggled to recover from a 1994 scandal that saw 21 players and coaches sacked, 58 players suspended and 126 players questioned over corruption.