The Japan Sumo Association has pledged to look into allegations of match-fixing. It also said if the allegations are confirmed, it will severely punish those involved because such acts are a betrayal of sumo fans' trust.
Chairman Hanaregoma met reporters in Tokyo on Wednesday, after the association held an emergency executive meeting to discuss how to handle the matter.
The chairman said the association has set up an investigative panel consisting of 7 outside experts.
Tokyo police found e-mail messages suggesting bout-fixing on cell phones of a wrestler and a former wrestler who is now a stable master. The phones were confiscated during a probe into illegal betting on professional baseball games within the sumo world.
Hanaregoma said he is indignant and sorry about having to meet reporters over a new problem, which he believes the sumo world hadn't had before. He apologized to fans for causing concern.
The chairman said the association has yet to determine the truth, although it interviewed 12 of the 13 wrestlers and stable masters whose names are mentioned in the messages in question.
He promised to make the results of the inquiry known to reporters as soon as they become available.
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