The Special Court on Monday recorded statements from Nepali footballers charged with match-fixing. The initial hearing on the case will begin on Tuesday.

National team captain Sagar Thapa along with his deputy Sandeep Rai, second-choice goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, former player turned coach Anjan KC and defender Bikash Singh Chhetri were arrested by police on October 14 for their alleged involvement in fixing Nepal’s international matches.

The players appeared in the court on Monday but again denied involvement in alleged match-fixing. The Court will begin hearing from Tuesday to decide whether to release players on bail or remand in custody.

Police investigators said the the players have been found to have taken up to $5,000 for fixing the matches. The government prosecutors have asked for life-imprisonment under the Crime against State and Punishment Act, 1989. The sub-clause 3.1 of Clause 3 of the Act states that “if someone causes or attempts to cause any disorder with an intention to jeopardize sovereignty, integrity or national unity, he/she shall be liable for life imprisonment.”

“While recording their statements, the players denied any involvement in match-fixing and proclaimed their innocence,” Bhadrakali Pokharel, Registrar at the Special Court told  AFP.

Apart from the five players arrested, a physiotherapist, Dejiv Thapa, was also charged with treason in absentia, Pokharel was quoted as saying. Thapa is accused of receiving at least $1,000 from Malaysian footballer and suspected match-fixer, Kesavan Pattan. “Thapa’s name has been added to a list of absconders,” Pokharel said.

The six men are suspected of involvement in match-fixing over a period of eight years. Officials are investigating several matches including one against Jordan that Nepal lost 9-0 as well as games with Bangladesh and Afghanistan, played as part of a regional competition.

The scandal is the latest blow to Nepal’s image in sporting fraternity after All Nepal Football Association (Anfa) president Ganesh Thapa was forced to step aside last year over allegations he embezzled millions of dollars. Thapa has already taken over the reins at Anfa.