European investigators say they have uncovered a wide-ranging scam to fix the results of hundreds of European football matches, including some from the World Cup and Champions League qualifying games.
European police organizations chief Rob Wainwright says prosecutors have identified 380 suspicious matches played in Europe, and another 300 identified in Africa, Asia and south and central America.
Wainwright said the games were compromised by hundreds of corrupt players, referees, and officials around the world at all levels of the game.
"We have uncovered extensive criminal network involved in widespread football match fixing. A total of 425 match officials, club officials, players and serious criminals from more than 15 countries are suspected of being involved in attempts to fix more than 380 professional football matches."
Wainwright says the match-fixing scheme involved a Singapore-based organized-crime syndicate that spent more than $130,000 a game to bribe players and officials. He said the investigation uncovered nearly $11 million in profits made from betting on the matches.
European police organizations chief Rob Wainwright says prosecutors have identified 380 suspicious matches played in Europe, and another 300 identified in Africa, Asia and south and central America.
Wainwright said the games were compromised by hundreds of corrupt players, referees, and officials around the world at all levels of the game.
"We have uncovered extensive criminal network involved in widespread football match fixing. A total of 425 match officials, club officials, players and serious criminals from more than 15 countries are suspected of being involved in attempts to fix more than 380 professional football matches."
Wainwright says the match-fixing scheme involved a Singapore-based organized-crime syndicate that spent more than $130,000 a game to bribe players and officials. He said the investigation uncovered nearly $11 million in profits made from betting on the matches.