Coach came a cropper trying to bribe copper

SINGAPORE, Apr 11 (Reuters) The Singaporean goalkeeper asked by former Malaysia coach Chow Kwai Lam to fix a domestic soccer match said it had been a mistake to attempt to bribe him -- Zulkifli Zainolabidin is a former police officer.

Chow, 64, was found guilty by a Singapore court last week of offering a bribe to the former Paya Lebar Punggol keeper to let the opposition score two or three goals in a 2005 match.

Chow, who received a life ban from football in Singapore and Malaysia, was fined S,000 (,050) by the court yesterday.

''He should have known that I was a former police officer and I would never do things to bring shame to my family,'' Zulkifli told Today newspaper.

''I never meant to cause anyone any problems but it was my duty as a professional footballer and as a police officer to report the matter to the club management.'' Chow continues to deny attempting to bribe Zulkifli and insists the approach was aimed at testing the keeper's integrity.

Zulkifli, who now plays for S-League club Balestier Khalsa, said he wanted to put the incident behind him but that he would never be able to fully forget about it.

''It is something which I never imagined would happen to me,'' the 28-year-old said.

''I will always remember my shock at the time. I will never forget the day.'' REUTERS SAM RN0938