Nigeria FA launch match-fixing investigation after viral penalty shoot-out clip

Nigeria's Football Association will launch an investigation amid match-fixing allegations after footage of a penalty shootout went viral that appears to show one goalkeeper standing stationary while his team-mates sent their kicks yards wide.

Remo Stars lost 3-0 on penalties to Ijebu United in the final of the Ogun State Cup final, a regional tournament where both finalists qualify for the National FA Cup competition.

And while sources close to Remo Stars said that the club deliberately aimed to lose the shootout as an act of protest owing to what they perceived to be poor officiating during the game, the national federation's general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said an investigation will be opened. Sanusi described the footage as "embarrassing."

The video, which has received more than 10 million views, shows the Remo Stars goalkeeper remain stationary on his goal-line as an opponent scores. Immediately after, one of Remo's outfield players sends his attempt from 12 yards out to the sideline on his left.

A Remo Stars source claimed to ESPN that it was an act of protest but in retrospect they regret their decision not to compete.

"Our club has been constantly treated poorly by the FA, and we did not even want to enter for this competition but we were prevailed upon to enter for it," the unnamed source said. "At the final, the referee made some dodgy calls, even denying us what was a clear penalty kick.

"The referee wanted the game to go to penalties, he signalled just one minute of additional time. That was the last straw for us, and we decided we would not play the penalty shootout and they should simply give us the silver medals for second place.

"But they told us we had to play or we could be disqualified for not concluding the game and putting the game to disrepute.

"So we said we could play, but playing does not mean we have to score. In retrospect, we can now see that that was a mistake as well. It is being made to look even worse than our initial decision not to play at all."

Both finalists are due to qualify for the national FA Cup after reaching the state final but San Remo could be thrown out if the federation investigation finds them guilty.