Four national footballers and a coach arrested on charges of involvement in fixing international matches were presented before the Special Court on Tuesday. 

Talking briefly to journalists present on the court premises, suspended national football team captain Sagar Thapa pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them. “We played for the nation for about 15 to 20 years. We are innocent. Now we need your [Journalists’] support,” said Thapa, adding that everything will become crystal clear when the right time comes. 

Thapa expressed his dissatisfaction with the journalists for holding them guilty of the allegations. “They have proven us guilty and even punished us. We need their support,” he said.

Another player Sandip Rai said they will speak only after the completion of the ongoing investigation into the charges against them.

Footballers Thapa, Rai, Ritesh Thapa, Bikash Singh Chhetri and coach Anjan KC, were arrested on October 14 for their alleged involvement in fixing international matches.

The accused players and coach were presented before the court today for extension of their judicial remand, said SP Bishworaj Pokharel.