Europe’s “biggest ever” match fixing scandal

Some 200 football matches in leagues around Europe are under investigation for alleged match fixing it was announced today.

Police have carried out raids in Germany, UK, Switzerland and Austria. German police said they had arrested 17 people.

The matches under investigation were played in nine domestic leagues as well as European competitions. The countries involved include: Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Austria, Bosnia, and Slovenia.

In Germany four matches in the second division and three in the third tier were under investigation for suspected manipulation.

Speaking at a press conference today (20 Nov 2009) in Germany, UEFA spokesman Peter Limacher said, “We feel a certain satisfaction but UEFA are deeply shocked by the extent of the orchestrated manipulation carried out by international gangs.”

“Without question, this is the biggest betting fraud in the history of UEFA.”

Global Betting and Gaming Consultants’ view:

The news of the UEFA football match fixing scandal in Germany is a clear sign that the alert systems introduced by bookmakers are working as anticipated. A criminal gang is believed to have bribed players, coaches and referees.

Most of the matches were in minor leagues in Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia, and Slovenia.

It is believed that the same Croatians who were involved with the referee Hoyzer are involved.

One fixture under suspicion is FK Milano’s 12-2 aggregate defeat in July by Croatia’s Slaven Koprivnika in the second qualifying round of the Europa League, the new format for the UEFA Cup. In 2006, Greek club Egaleo FC were fined GB£30,000 for “violation of the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship” and “creating favourable conditions for illegal betting practices” after they fielded a weakened team in the first leg of an Intertoto Cup match.

Key words: match fixing, betting, UEFA, European football, Germany

Notes for editors:

GBGC is an independent, specialist consultancy firm dedicated to providing data, research and advice to the international gambling industry.

GBGC also produces the comprehensive Global Gambling Report, currently in its fourth edition, as well as data and analysis on the Interactive Gambling sector.

The gambling statistics and forecasts that are contained within the Global Gambling Report have become widely recognised within the industry, the financial community and the Media, as the industry standard for sizing both the online and offline gambling markets.

Latest Reports:

Interactive Gambling Report – Internet gambling data and statistics for more than 50 countries including: France, Italy, UK, and Spain. The current edition includes analysis of the European market following the ruling in the ECJ Bwin-Santa Casa case (C-42/07).

Latin America Report – a specialist report covering 21 markets in Central and South America including: Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.

Current Reports Available from GBGC’s website:
• Fourth edition of the Global Gambling Report ‘Change is on the Cards’
• Interactive Gambling Report
• Latin America Report
• Eastern European Market Report
• Report bundles now available – save 30% on GBGC’s reports