FIFA 'disappointed' after suspected match-fixer Dan Tan walks free

FIFA says it is "very disappointed" at the decision of Singapore judges to free suspected match-fixer Tan Seet Eng.

Seet Eng, also known as Dan Tan, was jailed in October 2013 after Italian prosecutors accused him of coordinating a global crime syndicate that made millions of dollars betting on rigged Italian matches and other games across the world.

Tan was held under a Singaporean law that allows for indefinite detention without trial if it is thought to be in the interest of public safety. But Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of the Singapore Court of Appeal now says there is no evidence to suggest he is a safety risk.

"While... these acts are reprehensible and should not be condoned, there is nothing to suggest whether or how these activities could be thought to have a bearing on the public safety, peace and good order," Menon said as he delivered the decision of the three-judge court.

"The matches fixed, whether or not successfully, all took place beyond our shores," he added. "There is nothing in the grounds to indicate he was working with overseas criminal syndicates or to suggest that such activities are likely to take root in Singapore, by reason of anything he has done or threatens to do."

'Zero-tolerance'

Tan's previous appeal had been dismissed by another Singapore court last year, with one of his lawyers, Hamidul Haq, saying he had long argued Tan was being held on unlawful grounds.

"It has been proven true today through the court judgement and my client is very relieved," he said.

In a statement FIFA said: "The integrity of the game is a top priority for FIFA and we continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies as well as the respective public authorities and other sports organisations on a national, regional and global level to tackle the issue of match manipulation.

"Match manipulation is a threat that undermines the integrity and credibility of football at different levels of the game. FIFA has a zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and is committed to protecting the integrity of football by all means necessary."

Tan is suspected of being behind fixed matches in Italy's Serie A and B in 2011. He is also being tried in absentia by a Hungarian court for allegedly manipulating 32 games in Hungary, Italy and Finland.