Not guilty pleas in referee bribery case

 
Eric Ding Si Yang, a Singapore businessman accused of bribing three Lebanese soccer referees with prostitutes, was released on S$150,000 ($121,000) bail after entering a not guilty plea on three corruption charges. Prosecutors, pointing to possible involvement by international syndicates in the alleged offences, had argued against bail, noting that Ding has a home in Bangkok with his family. The three Lebanese referees, who are also to plead not guilty, were denied bail on risk they might flee the country. The case revolves an alleged attempt to fix the AFC Cup match last week in Singapore between the local Tampines Rovers team and India's East Bengal.  East Bengal won that match 4-2 then beat the Rovers again in Kolkata this week 2-1. The referees were replaced before the first match.