The German referee who took bribes to fix games has been formally suspended by the German Football Federation for unsportsmanlike conduct.
 
Robert Hoyzer has admitted rigging four games in return for $85,000 from a gambling syndicate led by three Croatian brothers, who have been arrested.  He tried to manipulate two other games without success, and in one game his intervention was not needed.
 
The growing scandal is the country's worst football corruption scandal in more than 30 years and has overshadowed Germany's preparations to host next year's World Cup.

Hoyzer has implicated others in the affair, and Berlin prosecutors are investigating 25 people, including three other referees and 14 players, on suspicion of rigging at least 10 games, mostly in the lower divisions.

Hoyzer faces another formal hearing that could result in a lifetime ban.  If charged and convicted of fraud, he could spend up to 10 years in jail.