A Taiwanese man apologized on Friday after saying in a social media post that he worked with Australia to provide scouting reports on Taiwan’s team, enabling Australia’s victory in this year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC), saying it was a joke and that he did not hold any position with foreign teams or Taiwan’s sports training center.
Chen Po-hao (陳柏豪) drew the rage of many Taiwan baseball fans when he posted online on Thursday night, claiming credit for Australia’s 3-0 win over Taiwan in the opening game for Pool C, saying he worked as a physical therapist with the national team and passed on information to the Australians.
In his apology, Chen said that his social media post was intended to be humorous and did not intend to cause a stir.
Photo: CNA
Some Taiwanese fans called him a “traitor” for selling out Taiwan by providing valuable information, while others called for an investigation and charges of treason against him.
Chen also said he won money betting on Australia’s win in the sports lottery, drawing further anger.
Some called for an investigation, as it is illegal for those employed by the team or in sports-related positions in the government to bet on game outcomes and profit through insider information.
The Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Training Center on Friday said separately there is no record of a “Chen Po-hao” ever being employed as a scout, medical staff or by the training center.
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