Match Fixing! - Champions League games hosted in England under scrutiny

Europol (European Police) have been carrying out an investigation over the past 18 months looking into match fixing. These matches include Champions League fixtures, Euro and World Cup qualifiers and also almost all of the top European leagues!

A total of 680 matches have been identified as being fixed, including 2 Champions League games over the past 3 or 4 years, 1 of which occurring in England. It is reported that 425 people are suspected of being involved in the scandal, this number includes match officials, club officials, players and criminals.

This is the work of a "sophisticated International organised crime syndicate, based in Asia and working with criminal facilitators around Europe". (Rob Wainwright, director of Europol)

The specifics including the clubs involved cannot be released to the public yet due to ongoing judicial proceedings.

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The details of Europol's Invesitgation;

Inquiry started 18 months ago.

Initially involved Germany, Finland and Hungary, before being extended to Slovenia and Austria.

Ended up looking at 680 matches in 30 countries.

13,000 emails were analysed.

A total of 425 suspects were identified.

50 people have been arrested.

80 search warrants obtained.

A number of criminal investigations now taking place.

(Taken directly from BBC Sport)


So Europol have uncovered a colossal underground criminal network that is infecting our beloved game, it has even happened on our home turf, right under our noses. There is going to be endless speculation as to who was involved, but this is not going to go down well in the football world.

That level of corruption is almost incomprehensible, it is going to tarnish the game's reputation and undoubtedly unearth the unloyal and untrustworthy figures in the game today.

This truly is a sad sad day for football.


Article by Martin Smith

Follow me on twitter @MartinSmithCFC

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