BREAKING NEWS: Match - fixing probe : 380 suspect games

Europol has
revealed that 380
football matches
across the globe
are under
suspicion of
match-fixing,
following a
lengthy
investigation into
what it considers
a criminal network within the sport.
A total of 425 players, officials and other
individuals are suspected of being
involved in an organised crime syndicate
based in Asia, which is thought to have
been organising the operation to rig the
results of matches.
Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, said
the allegations included two Champions
League fixtures, one of which was played
in England in the last two or three years,
though they did not name the matches in
question.
He told a press conference in the
Netherlands: "This is the work of a
suspected organised crime syndicate
based in Asia and operated with criminal
networks around Europe.
"It is clear to us this is the biggest-ever
investigation into suspected match-fixing
in Europe. It has yielded major results
which we think have uncovered a big
problem for the integrity of football in
Europe.
"We have uncovered an extensive criminal
network."
Criminals wagered €16 million on fixed
matches and recorded an €8m profit, the
investigation has revealed.
Payments of €2m have been made to
those involved in the scheme, with the
biggest single payment to an individual
totalling €140,000.
The Asia-based syndicate is believed to
have liased with criminal networks
throughout Europe, with match-fixing
believed to have occured in 15 different
countries.
Fridhelm Althans from Bocum Police,
Germany, and a spokesperson for JIT
Veto, said: "We have evidence for 150 of
these cases and the operations were run
out of Singapore with bribes of up to
€100,000 paid per match. Even two World
Cup qualifiers in Africa, and one in
Central America are under suspicion."
So far, 50 people have been arrested,
with officials stating their concern that the
news was simply "the tip of the iceberg."
Wainwright said that Europol's findings
would be shared with Uefa president
Michel Platini, adding: "This is a sad day
for European football and more evidence
of the corrupting influence in society of
organised crime. But this investigation
also proves the value of international
police co-operation in fighting back
against the criminals involved.
"Europol and its law enforcement
partners are committed to pursuing
serious criminals wherever they operate.
Unfortunately this also now includes the
world of football, where illegal profits are
made on a scale and in a way that
threatens the very fabric of the game.
"All those responsible for running
football should heed the warnings found
in this case."