Arrests over 'biggest match-fixing scandal'
Arrests over 'biggest match-fixing scandal'
Friday, 20, Nov 2009 05:26
By Richard James.
German authorities have arrested 17 people as part of an investigation in what has been described as Europe's biggest football match-fixing scandal.
The probe is said to be looking into about 200 European games, including at least three in the Champions League and 12 in the Uefa Europa League.
On Thursday police carried out about 50 raids in the UK, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Of those detained, 15 were in Germany and two in Switzerland.
Reports suggest prosecutors are looking into allegations that a gang of around 200 bribed players, coaches, referees and officials to fix games.
The matches currently being investigated were played in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Austria.
Speaking during a press conference in Bochum, Germany, today, Uefa representative Peter Limacher said: "We're facing the biggest scandal in soccer.
"We're content this is cleared up now, but we're also devastated by the extent of the manipulation."
Uefa has been working for sometime with German authorities to uncover an alleged betting ring, Friedhelm Althans from the Bochum police confirmed.