Blind man `fixed matches'

A blind man with no apparent interest in football has been identified as the mastermind behind Malaysia's match-fixing scandal.

The 50-year-old is among more than 50 "underground" bookies and players detained since August in an attempt to clean up the sport. Information gleaned from the blind suspect has led to the arrest of many of the other alleged ring-leaders.

"I am shocked the blind man is the mastermind," the deputy Home Minister, Megat Junid Megat Ayo, said. "Though he doesn't know anything about football, he can explain how he fixes the matches."

Police said nine players and bookmakers, including the blind man, have been banished to their home districts under the Restricted Residence Act to help with investigations.