UEFA Calls for Severe Punishments in Football Corruption Probe

(WFI) UEFA is demanding the harshest penalties for anyone found to be connected with the match-fixing and corruption scandal that has sent shockwaves through European football.

German prosecutors revealed Friday that 200 games are suspected of being rigged in nine countries. The scam is said to involve up to 200 people operating across Europe. The gang has reportedly bribed players, coaches and officials to fix matches and earned up to $15 million in placing bets with bookmakers in Europe and Asia.

Matches are under investigation in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Austria. Last Thursday, police arrested 17 people after carrying out about 50 raids in Germany, Britain, Switzerland and Austria. More than $1.5 million in cash and property were seized.

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino praised the German authorities for their actions and for the good collaboration in a statement released Sunday.

“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," he said.

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

He added: "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."

Of the matches under investigation, 12 UEFA Europa League and three UEFA Champions League fixtures are all early qualifying round games. UEFA said details on which matches were involved would be given at a later date. These games are part of the UEFA list of 40 matches that European football’s governing body is investigating.

On Saturday, Theo Zwanziger, president of the German Football Federation (DFB), pledged swift and severe punishment for those involved in the betting and match-fixing scandal.

"We will punish these people - they do not belong amongst us. Where there is money, there is also corruption,” he said.

German investigators are examining the results of 32 matches in Germany, including four in the second division and other games in the lower leagues. Among other games under scrutiny are 29 matches in Turkey and more than a dozen in each of the top divisions in Croatia and Hungary.

VfL Osnabrueck striker Thomas Reichenberger, one of the players reported to be caught up in the scandal, denied the allegations before fans ahead of a match on Saturday.

"I have had no contact with the betting mafia and have nothing to do with the betting scandal," Reichenberger was quoted in a report by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. "I have never manipulated a game, or taken money for it."

Written by Mark Bisson
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