AN official Cypriot commission is to investigate allegations of match fixing in a World Cup qualifier between Cyprus and Bulgaria in Limassol on December 14th.

The allegations, reported extensively by the local media, suggest players on the island's national team placed considerable bets for Cyprus to lose to Bulgaria in the match. Cyprus lost 3-1.

The reports do not mention any specific player, but football authorities admit the sums bet on the match - up to 10 times the normal - were enough to arouse suspicion.