Arrested Nepal football players released on bail

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Nepal captain Sagar Thapa and four other players were released on bail on Tuesday after they were charged with treason following a match-fixing probe which could see them jailed for life.

The five players - Sandip Rai, coach Anjan K.C., goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa, Bikash Singh as well as Sagar Thapa - are accused of taking money from bookmakers in Malaysia and Singapore to lose matches.

They were arrested last month on charges of match-fixing dating from 2009, including games against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Nepal's Special Court released the men Tuesday after bail was posted ranging from 500,000 rupees ($4,760) to 50,000 rupees ($476).

Court official Jaganath Pokhrel said the players would have to appear in court again for questioning. A trial date has not been set. Government prosecutors have charged them with treason, which carries a life term in Nepal.

"We are waiting for the day when the ruling will be made in our favor," Sagar Thapa told reporters at the court house in Kathmandu.

Police have seized the players' financial records and bank statements as evidence.