ID :
171387
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 19:07
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/171387
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Sumo: Panel recognizes trio as being involved in match-fixing scandal
TOKYO, March 28 Kyodo - A special panel investigating a match-fixing scandal that has floored Japan's ancient sport has recognized that former komusubi Shimotori, Mongolian-born makuuchi-division wrestler Mokonami and sumo elder Tanigawa were involved in the racket, sources said Monday.
All three were questioned earlier in the day about the scandal that surfaced on Feb. 2 as text messages from several wrestlers' mobile phones implying bouts had been rigged were discovered.
Juryo division wrestler Chioyhakuho, lower-ranked Enatsukasa and elder Takenawa have already admitted to being part of the scheme.
The panel has already reached a broad consensus on penalties and the Japan Sumo Association is expected to decide how to punish those caught up in the scandal at a board meeting on April 1.
Around 20 people are expected to be dismissed or slapped with lengthy suspensions from the sport.
On Saturday, one wrestler implicated, who has been interrogated four times but vehemently denies being part of the racket, claimed the panel has no evidence said he would sue the JSA if he is forced to take the flak and is wrongly dismissed.
''No proof has been presented, there has been no confession from me being involved in any way whatsoever and if I am dismissed then I will sue,'' the wrestler said.
The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled for this month was scrapped in the wake of the scandal. The JSA has yet to make a decision on whether it will stage the summer basho in May.
All three were questioned earlier in the day about the scandal that surfaced on Feb. 2 as text messages from several wrestlers' mobile phones implying bouts had been rigged were discovered.
Juryo division wrestler Chioyhakuho, lower-ranked Enatsukasa and elder Takenawa have already admitted to being part of the scheme.
The panel has already reached a broad consensus on penalties and the Japan Sumo Association is expected to decide how to punish those caught up in the scandal at a board meeting on April 1.
Around 20 people are expected to be dismissed or slapped with lengthy suspensions from the sport.
On Saturday, one wrestler implicated, who has been interrogated four times but vehemently denies being part of the racket, claimed the panel has no evidence said he would sue the JSA if he is forced to take the flak and is wrongly dismissed.
''No proof has been presented, there has been no confession from me being involved in any way whatsoever and if I am dismissed then I will sue,'' the wrestler said.
The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled for this month was scrapped in the wake of the scandal. The JSA has yet to make a decision on whether it will stage the summer basho in May.
