Arrests in match fixing scam

Platini: Endorsed fraud inquiry

We will continue our battle against any form of corruption in European football with a mission of zero tolerance.

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino
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Uefa have confirmed they are investigating allegations of match-fixing as part of an enquiry linked to 12 Europa League and three Champions League matches.

Europe's governing body said the match-fixing was the "biggest fraud scandal there has ever been in European football," as police made arrests across the continent.

Police in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland conducted simultaneous raids, netted 1m Euros (£900,000) in cash and goods and arrested 15 people.

The ring is believed to have around 200 members who fixed or tried to fix 200 matches across Europe, including three Champions League and 12 Europa League qualifying round matches.

The fraud affected nine minor European leagues including lower divisions in Germany as well as matches in the top two tiers of Turkey, Bosnia, Hungary, Croatia, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

All the matches under investigation took place during 2009 and involved the bribing of players and officials to fix the result of matches.

Prosecutors in the Germany city of Bochum revealed the investigation had been under way since the start of the year.

Manipulation

"The accused are suspected of offering financial inducements to players, coaches, referees and officials from high-ranking European football leagues to manipulate the results of games," a statement read.

Uefa confirmed they had worked alongside German authorities to investigate the fraud.

A statement read: "Uefa has been actively involved in the investigation and has given assistance via detailed information through its Betting Fraud Detection System.

"This detection system monitors all Uefa competitions and European national league first and second division matches for suspicious betting patterns. The information on a number of matches was passed to the German authorities upon their request."

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino praised the work of the German police for their role in the inquiries, and insisted the organisation would come down hard on any guilty party.

"Firstly, I would like to thank the German authorities for their action and for the good collaboration," Infantino said.

Zero tolerance

"This case proves that it is possible for a state investigative authority to work closely together with a sports governing body when it comes to corruption or match fixing, and it is gratifying to see that the Betting Fraud Detection System endorsed by the Uefa president, Michel Platini, is already bearing fruit.

"We will continue our battle against any form of corruption in European football with a mission of zero tolerance.

"Uefa will be demanding the harshest of sanctions before the competent courts for any individuals, clubs or officials who are implicated in this malpractice, be it under state or sports jurisdiction."

Peter Limacher, Uefa's head of disciplinary services, described the affair as "undoubtedly the biggest fraud scandal there has ever been in European football."

He added: "We are deeply shocked by the extent of the match manipulations by international gangs.

"We now have to do everything we can so that the referees, players and officials are brought to justice."