Roeder irritated by match-fixing claims

(EMPICS/ PA)

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder is "100 per cent certain" that his Canaries side are innocent of any alleged match-fixing but admits the controversey has been an irritation.

The Football Association are looking into claims betting patterns in Asia were highly irregular during Derby's 2-1 win at Norwich on 4 October.

Norfolk MPs Norman Lamb - a Norwich fan and season-ticket holder - and Dr Ian Gibson put down questions to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham in parliament, demanding to know what discussions had been held with the FA to clear the matter up.

But Roeder insists that the club have nothing to hide and admitted that he was frustrated at the adverse publicity at Carrow Road.

He said: "I don't know the exact details of what's been said and the accusations being made about that particular game but I would be 100 per cent certain there is no one at Norwich City that's involved in anything at all.

"I don't know enough about how it became public. In life, people have to do what they think is right. Whether it is right or wrong is for other people to decide.

"I also believe that too many people publicly state their own opinions when they should keep their own counsel. So when I find out exactly how this has all broken and caused an irritation, I'll decide whether I want to say anything publicly or keep my own counsel.

"Anything like this is not good for the game, not good for any sport.

"It's only the week before that there were accusations that a snooker player had lost 5-0 and there were funny betting patterns on that result.

"If professional sport isn't clean, what is the point of being involved in it? But it's certainly unsavoury and not welcome anywhere in any sport."

Roeder was also confident that the publicity would not affect his players ahead of tomorrow's game at Bristol City.

He said: "The boys were off yesterday. Knowing how tough they are as people I wouldn't think it would worry them at all."