Uefa launch matchfixing probe
Uefa president Michel Platini plans a conference on crime in football
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Saturday, 01, Dec 2007 05:03
Uefa has begun an investigation into claims that 15 international and continental club matches were rigged by betting syndicates.
European football's governing body received a 96-page report from Interpol detailing allegations of corruption in games from the Champions League, Intertoto Cup, Uefa Cup or Euro 2008 qualification.
The claims originally appeared in German magazine Der Spiegel which suggested that the teams involved came from south-eastern Europe with Croatia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Serbia, and the Baltic countries all mentioned.
"It is correct that we are currently investigating 15 matches in cooperation with Europol," a Uefa spokesperson confirmed.
All the matches currently being examined took place this season, although the report in Der Spiegel claimed another 11 from 2005/06 would also come under scrutiny.
Currently Uefa officials are gathered in the Swiss city of Lucerne awaiting Sunday's draw for the finals of Euro 2008.
President Michel Platini has just announced a conference to be held in conjunction with the European Commission looking into possible criminal activity surrounding the sport.
With the support of justice commissioner Franco Frattini, Platini plans to address concerns about matchfixing, corruption and money-laundering.