Europol Reveals Investigation in More Than 380 Worldwide Fixed Football Matches

Europol's chief Rob Wainwright announcing the investigation at a press conference

The European police agency (Europol) has revealed that a wide-ranging investigation into match fixing has identified 380 fixed football matches, including two Champions League matches, and 425 corrupt officials, players and criminals.

Europol's chief Rob Wainwright said the investigation found "match fixing activity on a scale we have not seen before". The games include World Cup and European Championship qualifiers and two UEFA Champions League games, one of which was in England.

Wainwright revealed the probe uncovered around £7million in betting profits and £1.27m in bribes to players and officials and has already led to several prosecutions.

The investigation identified about 425 corrupt officials, players and serious criminals in 15 countries and 50 arrests have been made so far.

Wainwright also stated that the involvement of organised crime "highlights a big problem for the integrity of football in Europe" with Asian gambling cartels identified as part of the match fixing operation.

He would not reveal the identity of the Champions League matches under suspicion due to "ongoing judicial proceedings" - but he did confirm that the Champions League match under investigation in England had taken place in the last three to four years. He however admitted England was not a country under particular scrutiny.

He said: "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."

"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 games outside Europe, mainly in Africa, Asia, South and Central America.

It added in a statement: "UEFA is aware of the statements made by Europol regarding the alleged match-fixing that has taken place in various football competitions and expects to receive further information in the coming days.

"As part of the fight against the manipulation of matches, UEFA is already co-operating with the authorities on these serious matters as part of its zero-tolerance policy towards match-fixing in our sport.

"Once the details of these investigations are in UEFA's hands, then they will be reviewed by the appropriate disciplinary bodies in order that the necessary measures are taken."

THE TRIPOLI POST

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