Europol, the European police agency, has revealed wide-spread match-fixing in world football, with more than 380 matches currently under investigation.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
Europol chief Rob Wainwright revealed the games in question included World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, as well as two unnamed Champions League ties, one of which was in England.
A total of around £7million betting profits were uncovered, while a further £1.27million in player-and-match-official bribes have also been brought to light.
Wainwright revealed the investigation uncovered "match-fixing activity on a scale we have not seen before", with some 425 corrupt officials, players and serious criminals in 15 countries under investigation, while 50 arrests have already been made.
Wainwright, who would not reveal the identity of the European Cup clash in question, did say: "The focus has been on other countries, not the United Kingdom. However we were surprised by the scale generally of the criminal enterprise and just how widespread it was.
"It would be naive and complacent of those in the UK to think such a criminal conspiracy does not involve the English game and all the football in Europe."
Europol also found another 300 questionable football matches outside Europe, mainly in Africa, Asia, South and Central America.
However, the English Football Association revealed they were unaware of any such claims of match-fixing in the United Kingdom, releasing a statement which read: "The FA are not aware of any credible reports into suspicious Champions League fixtures in England, nor has any information been shared with us.
"While the Champions League comes under UEFA jurisdiction, The FA, alongside the Premier League, Football League and Conference, monitor markets for the top seven leagues and three major cup competitions in England and take matters of integrity in football extremely seriously."
Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story