A prominent YouTuber and his business partner have been fined a total of £265,000 ($331,220) for running an illegal gambling website linked to hit video game FIFA that was used by children.
Craig Douglas, who goes by the name of NepentheZ on YouTube and has over 1.4 million subscribers on his channel, and his partner Dylan Rigby, ran a service to let users gamble with virtual currency that could be bought for real cash.
Douglas was ordered to pay £91,000 ($114,000) while Rigby got a £174,000 fine. Both men are from the U.K. and admitted to being directors of Game Gold Tradings Limited, a company which operated and advertised FutGalaxy.com – an unlicensed gambling website. The prosecution was brought by the U.K. Gambling Commission with the case decided on Monday.
The website allowed players to transfer virtual currency out of the FIFA 17 video game and use it to bet on real soccer matches and other games. Any winnings could then be transferred back into the game. In the FIFA games, which are made by EA Sports, there is no way to trade or sell coins that you buy. So black market sites have appeared online to facilitate this.
There is no official link between FIFA or EA Sports and the illegal website run by Douglas and Rigby. There are no accusations aimed at Electronic Arts or the makers of the video game.
District Judge McGarva described the offense as "very grave", and concluded that children had been gambling on the website but said it was impossible to know how many. He had been shown footage of a 12-year old boy gambling on the website, describing this as "horrific".
"This was one of the most serious cases that has been investigated and prosecuted by the Commission. Its gravity is reflected in the significant financial penalties imposed by the judge," Sarah Harrison, CEO of the Gambling Commission, said in a press release on Tuesday.
"The defendants knew that the site was used by children and that their conduct was illegal but they turned a blind eye in order to achieve substantial profits."
In a series of tweets following the court case, Douglas said he owed "a huge apology" to his family and supporters.
Despite the case, Douglas continued to upload new videos to his YouTube page about FIFA, including one in which he issued an apology. Douglas said he pleaded guilty to two charges, but pleaded not guilty to others.
"I (pleaded) not guilty to the remaining charges including the charge of inviting children to gamble and they were accepted by the prosecution and were accepted by the courts. Trust me when I tell you as a lesson has been learnt, a very valuable lesson," Douglas said.
"I made a huge mistake. I did some things wrong. I was very naïve … And very arrogant."
Showing posts with label FIFA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIFA. Show all posts
February 10, 2017
January 26, 2015
Paddy Power’s Ginola FIFA bid in breach of FIFA candidate rules
Former French international footballer David Ginola’s Paddy Power backed attempt to take over as FIFA president from Sepp Blatter could be scuppered by the sporting body’s election candidate rules.
Ahead of Thursday’s presidential election candidate deadline, FIFA issued a candidate guideline and ethics code for entry.
One regulation, designed to protect the integrity of football, states: “Persons bound by this code shall be forbidden from taking part in, either directly or indirectly, or otherwise being associated with betting, gambling.”
Ginola’s campaign is being organised by the bookmaker Paddy Power, which is paying the former France international £250,000 to seek the FIFA post.
When asked if the betting rule applied to presidential campaigns, a FIFA spokesman said: “It will be part of the eligibility assessment of prospect FIFA presidential candidates by the Ad-Hoc Electoral Committee in accordance with the electoral regulations.”
Ginola’s activities would only fall under the code if he gained five nominations from FIFA’s 209 national federations by Thursday.
A statement from the bookmaker read: “Both the heading and the content of the rule clearly relate to the integrity of football matches and competitions.”
Ahead of Thursday’s presidential election candidate deadline, FIFA issued a candidate guideline and ethics code for entry.
One regulation, designed to protect the integrity of football, states: “Persons bound by this code shall be forbidden from taking part in, either directly or indirectly, or otherwise being associated with betting, gambling.”
Ginola’s campaign is being organised by the bookmaker Paddy Power, which is paying the former France international £250,000 to seek the FIFA post.
When asked if the betting rule applied to presidential campaigns, a FIFA spokesman said: “It will be part of the eligibility assessment of prospect FIFA presidential candidates by the Ad-Hoc Electoral Committee in accordance with the electoral regulations.”
Ginola’s activities would only fall under the code if he gained five nominations from FIFA’s 209 national federations by Thursday.
A statement from the bookmaker read: “Both the heading and the content of the rule clearly relate to the integrity of football matches and competitions.”
January 16, 2015
Paddy Power supported David Ginola to stand against Blatter in FIFA election
David Ginola wants to challenge Sepp Blatter for the Fifa presidency in a campaign backed by a bookmaker. A spokesperson confirmed the former Newcastle, Tottenham and France midfielder was ready to oppose Blatter’s attempt to win a fifth term at the age of 79 and that he “will be looking for the full support of Uefa and five football associations”.
M&C Saatchi PR, acting on behalf of the Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, told the Associated Press that Ginola will launch his campaign in London on Friday, but it is not yet certain he will be able to stand for election.
Ginola, who also played for Aston Villa and Everton before retiring in 2002 and has since moved into winemaking, has until 29 January to prove to Fifa he has played an “active role” in football for two of the last five years, while showing he has the support of five national associations. The election will be held in Zurich on 29 May.
Three other people have declared an interest in the job: The Fifa vice president Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan, the former Fifa official Jérôme Champagne and the former Chilean football federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls.
M&C Saatchi PR, acting on behalf of the Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, told the Associated Press that Ginola will launch his campaign in London on Friday, but it is not yet certain he will be able to stand for election.
Ginola, who also played for Aston Villa and Everton before retiring in 2002 and has since moved into winemaking, has until 29 January to prove to Fifa he has played an “active role” in football for two of the last five years, while showing he has the support of five national associations. The election will be held in Zurich on 29 May.
Three other people have declared an interest in the job: The Fifa vice president Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan, the former Fifa official Jérôme Champagne and the former Chilean football federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls.
July 03, 2014
FIFA: No Cameroon Fixing
FIFA have revealed they have found "no indication of any match manipulation" by the Cameroon national team, nor from any other country at the 2014 World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions' woeful showing at the Brazil showpiece, where they finished rock bottom of Group A, was further dragged through the mud after it was claimed no fewer than seven of the squad members had been involved in cheating.
German magazine Der Spiegel had claimed convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal had correctly predicted Cameroon's 4-0 defeat to Croatia, the match being most closely scrutinised, although he denied those claims soon after.
World football's governing body have also claimed they have been closely monitoring all games at the tournament, and that they have unearthed no evidence to support match fixing by any Cameroonian.
"We have requested from Der Spiegel all the communications with Perumal and any other material they claim to possess in order to prove the allegations they have made in public," FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer told reporters.
"The article has put the integrity of the FIFA World Cup in question which is a serious allegation.
"As mentioned on various occasions, FIFA has carefully monitored all 56 games to date and continue to monitor.
"So far we have found no indication of any match manipulation on the betting market in relation to any of the World Cup matches."
The Indomitable Lions' woeful showing at the Brazil showpiece, where they finished rock bottom of Group A, was further dragged through the mud after it was claimed no fewer than seven of the squad members had been involved in cheating.
German magazine Der Spiegel had claimed convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal had correctly predicted Cameroon's 4-0 defeat to Croatia, the match being most closely scrutinised, although he denied those claims soon after.
World football's governing body have also claimed they have been closely monitoring all games at the tournament, and that they have unearthed no evidence to support match fixing by any Cameroonian.
"We have requested from Der Spiegel all the communications with Perumal and any other material they claim to possess in order to prove the allegations they have made in public," FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer told reporters.
"The article has put the integrity of the FIFA World Cup in question which is a serious allegation.
"As mentioned on various occasions, FIFA has carefully monitored all 56 games to date and continue to monitor.
"So far we have found no indication of any match manipulation on the betting market in relation to any of the World Cup matches."
July 01, 2014
Cameroon investigates match-fixing claims
Cameroon officials are to investigate claims that seven of their players were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup in Brazil.
The ethics committee of the African country's football federation will look at allegations of "fraud" by "seven bad apples" in their three group games.
The allegations have been made in a German newspaper by a convicted match fixer from Singapore.
Cameroon lost all their Group A games, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia.
The Indomitable Lions had Alex Song sent off for lashing out at Mario Mandzukic in that game, while team-mates Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo clashed late on in the game.
A statement from Cameroon's FA read: "Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with Fifa's code of conduct and the ethics of our nation.
"We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays."
Fifa did not comment on whether it was looking into the issue as football's world governing body did not want to "compromise any possible investigations".
It did, however, add: "Speaking generally, the integrity of the game is a top priority for Fifa and as such we take any allegations of match manipulation very seriously."
The ethics committee of the African country's football federation will look at allegations of "fraud" by "seven bad apples" in their three group games.
The allegations have been made in a German newspaper by a convicted match fixer from Singapore.
Cameroon lost all their Group A games, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia.
The Indomitable Lions had Alex Song sent off for lashing out at Mario Mandzukic in that game, while team-mates Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo clashed late on in the game.
A statement from Cameroon's FA read: "Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with Fifa's code of conduct and the ethics of our nation.
"We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays."
Fifa did not comment on whether it was looking into the issue as football's world governing body did not want to "compromise any possible investigations".
It did, however, add: "Speaking generally, the integrity of the game is a top priority for Fifa and as such we take any allegations of match manipulation very seriously."
February 21, 2013
On the frontlines of the fight against match-fixing
A Georgian townhouse in a genteel, leafy London suburb houses a team of gambling experts huddled round dozens of computer screens showing match results from around the world. No bets are placed, however, no money won or lost. This is the frontline of the war on football match-fixing.
The multi-billion dollar football industry was shaken to its core earlier this month when European police and prosecutors said hundreds of games may have been rigged in a match-fixing syndicate being run from Singapore.
Helping football's governing bodies tackle the problem, companies such as Sportradar analyse betting odds movements to detect match-fixing, while FIFA has also set up an inhouse Early Warning System (EWS).
In Europe, a group of 15 leading bookmakers work together in the European Sports Security Association (ESSA), sharing information on suspicious betting patterns via e-mail.
But the scale of the problem, with World Cup qualifiers and Europe's flagship Champions Leagues under suspicion, as well as games in Asia, Africa and Latin America, necessitates a global solution, says former FIFA security director Chris Eaton.
"A warning system has got to be global - gambling is global," he told Reuters. "It's true to say that ESSA will pick up movements in the legal gambling area - for the most part it is illegal betting where the fixes are conducted."
Sportradar is part of an emerging industry that has grown up around official efforts to stamp out fixing in sports, especially football. The firm's employees monitor 300 or more bookmakers and more than 30,000 games a year for European soccer's governing body UEFA.
Ben Paterson, Sportradar's Integrity Manager, said his firm identifies between 250 and 300 suspicious football games every year, and that those figures show no sign of dropping off.
"A lot of people are doing a lot of things to curb match fixing, yet we still see the numbers maintained, if not increasing slightly," he added.
Although ESSA covers only a small part of the global market, it says it can give specific details on who is betting and where bets are placed to help prevent fixing before a game.
Bookmakers are linked by an email alerting system allowing its members to flag details of suspicious betting to each other and pass on details to sports bodies with whom they have ties.
Its advantage is that bookmakers know who made the bet and where. Its downside is that it is limited to Europe.
FIFA's system can monitor betting patterns but without the level of specific detail ESSA has. EWS also uses a network of contacts around the world to pass on intelligence and runs a whistleblower hotline. As well as FIFA games, it also monitors Major League Soccer in the United States and Japan's J League.
"EWS in FIFA is a small and capable organisation but it seems to me that they don't have a substantial field presence," said Eaton.
"Sportradar are probably the best there is for the present. While they are a commercial organisation, I would rather see them operating within an independent global body independent of sport and betting organisations."
Detection efforts are struggling to keep up, experts say, because of poor coordination between gambling companies and soccer's ruling bodies, while a lack of regulation in Asia means vital data is simply unavailable.
Mike O'Kane, chairman of ESSA, wants big Asia betting houses like Sbobet and Ibcbet to join forces with their European counterparts to fight fixing.
"I do call on all the European betting operators, in fact all global licensed operators, who are serious about protecting their company to join ESSA," he said.
Philippine-based Sbobet and Ibcbet declined to comment on the issue when contacted by Reuters.
A German investigator who helped jail 14 people for match-fixing was critical of the systems.
"Coming from our experiences of the last three years we have to say that these systems are not productive for our investigations as evidence in court," said Friedhelm Althans, investigator in the German city of Bochum.
"They are basically blunt instruments which don't yield results," he told Reuters.
Football has replaced horse racing as the staple of the bookmaking business, helped by technology that allows punters to bet live online while watching matches on television.
Sportradar's Paterson said the explosion of the online industry led to particular match-fixing trends appearing.
Ninety percent of fixed games will see suspicious patterns in live betting, usually with the Asian bookmakers, rather than any pre-match betting.
The mechanics of Sportradar's system rest on complex algorithms, a global network of 150 freelance informants and decades of analysts' experience, but the principle behind it all is relatively simple.
Most football betting happens during the match, when bookmakers increase odds and offer a chance of higher payouts.
As the betting is live, the odds are reactive. If a large amount of money is placed on a particular bet, bookmakers respond by lowering odds. If they lower the odds far enough, Sportradar's system triggers an alert and analysts get to work.
If a match is deemed suspicious, Paterson's team will gather round a whiteboard and thrash out the details.
"If we see some suspicious betting, we try to exhaust all avenues of why that betting could be legitimate," said Paterson. "Most of the time we're able to find a legitimate reason for these."
Some, such as a match that ends 0-0 and has no corners, no throw ins and no free kicks, are hard to defend.
"All this does though is raise the flag that this match is fixed," Patterson said. "It's the start of an investigation."
Monitoring in Asia is far weaker and Professor David Forrest, an expert on the economics of sports betting, said the conditions were ripe for match-fixing to flourish in the region.
"Most of the competitions targeted are competitions where there is low pay and yet there is a very, very big unregulated betting market in Asia where criminals can make lots of money," said Forrest. "It's made for corruption."
The special economic zone of Cagayan in the Philippines is home to the top five Asian bookmakers who, due to a lack of stringent regulations, are under no obligation to file accounts, keep memoranda of understanding with sporting bodies or ensure 'Know Your Customer' principles like European counterparts.
Ralf Mutschke, FIFA's head of security, says better coordination with law enforcement agencies would also help. Efforts to tackle match-fixing are hampered by the fact that it is not a criminal offence in every country.
Laila Mintas, head of legal at FIFA's EWS, told a gaming conference in London this month: "We would appreciate the European Union taking a lead by setting the minimum national regulations on match-fixing."
For Sportradar's Paterson, match-fixing has become such an issue that left unchecked it could seriously challenge the game's integrity.
"Who wants to go to a football match where people know the results already? You might as well go and watch worldwide wrestling."
The multi-billion dollar football industry was shaken to its core earlier this month when European police and prosecutors said hundreds of games may have been rigged in a match-fixing syndicate being run from Singapore.
Helping football's governing bodies tackle the problem, companies such as Sportradar analyse betting odds movements to detect match-fixing, while FIFA has also set up an inhouse Early Warning System (EWS).
In Europe, a group of 15 leading bookmakers work together in the European Sports Security Association (ESSA), sharing information on suspicious betting patterns via e-mail.
But the scale of the problem, with World Cup qualifiers and Europe's flagship Champions Leagues under suspicion, as well as games in Asia, Africa and Latin America, necessitates a global solution, says former FIFA security director Chris Eaton.
"A warning system has got to be global - gambling is global," he told Reuters. "It's true to say that ESSA will pick up movements in the legal gambling area - for the most part it is illegal betting where the fixes are conducted."
Sportradar is part of an emerging industry that has grown up around official efforts to stamp out fixing in sports, especially football. The firm's employees monitor 300 or more bookmakers and more than 30,000 games a year for European soccer's governing body UEFA.
Ben Paterson, Sportradar's Integrity Manager, said his firm identifies between 250 and 300 suspicious football games every year, and that those figures show no sign of dropping off.
"A lot of people are doing a lot of things to curb match fixing, yet we still see the numbers maintained, if not increasing slightly," he added.
Although ESSA covers only a small part of the global market, it says it can give specific details on who is betting and where bets are placed to help prevent fixing before a game.
Bookmakers are linked by an email alerting system allowing its members to flag details of suspicious betting to each other and pass on details to sports bodies with whom they have ties.
Its advantage is that bookmakers know who made the bet and where. Its downside is that it is limited to Europe.
FIFA's system can monitor betting patterns but without the level of specific detail ESSA has. EWS also uses a network of contacts around the world to pass on intelligence and runs a whistleblower hotline. As well as FIFA games, it also monitors Major League Soccer in the United States and Japan's J League.
"EWS in FIFA is a small and capable organisation but it seems to me that they don't have a substantial field presence," said Eaton.
"Sportradar are probably the best there is for the present. While they are a commercial organisation, I would rather see them operating within an independent global body independent of sport and betting organisations."
Detection efforts are struggling to keep up, experts say, because of poor coordination between gambling companies and soccer's ruling bodies, while a lack of regulation in Asia means vital data is simply unavailable.
Mike O'Kane, chairman of ESSA, wants big Asia betting houses like Sbobet and Ibcbet to join forces with their European counterparts to fight fixing.
"I do call on all the European betting operators, in fact all global licensed operators, who are serious about protecting their company to join ESSA," he said.
Philippine-based Sbobet and Ibcbet declined to comment on the issue when contacted by Reuters.
A German investigator who helped jail 14 people for match-fixing was critical of the systems.
"Coming from our experiences of the last three years we have to say that these systems are not productive for our investigations as evidence in court," said Friedhelm Althans, investigator in the German city of Bochum.
"They are basically blunt instruments which don't yield results," he told Reuters.
Football has replaced horse racing as the staple of the bookmaking business, helped by technology that allows punters to bet live online while watching matches on television.
Sportradar's Paterson said the explosion of the online industry led to particular match-fixing trends appearing.
Ninety percent of fixed games will see suspicious patterns in live betting, usually with the Asian bookmakers, rather than any pre-match betting.
The mechanics of Sportradar's system rest on complex algorithms, a global network of 150 freelance informants and decades of analysts' experience, but the principle behind it all is relatively simple.
Most football betting happens during the match, when bookmakers increase odds and offer a chance of higher payouts.
As the betting is live, the odds are reactive. If a large amount of money is placed on a particular bet, bookmakers respond by lowering odds. If they lower the odds far enough, Sportradar's system triggers an alert and analysts get to work.
If a match is deemed suspicious, Paterson's team will gather round a whiteboard and thrash out the details.
"If we see some suspicious betting, we try to exhaust all avenues of why that betting could be legitimate," said Paterson. "Most of the time we're able to find a legitimate reason for these."
Some, such as a match that ends 0-0 and has no corners, no throw ins and no free kicks, are hard to defend.
"All this does though is raise the flag that this match is fixed," Patterson said. "It's the start of an investigation."
Monitoring in Asia is far weaker and Professor David Forrest, an expert on the economics of sports betting, said the conditions were ripe for match-fixing to flourish in the region.
"Most of the competitions targeted are competitions where there is low pay and yet there is a very, very big unregulated betting market in Asia where criminals can make lots of money," said Forrest. "It's made for corruption."
The special economic zone of Cagayan in the Philippines is home to the top five Asian bookmakers who, due to a lack of stringent regulations, are under no obligation to file accounts, keep memoranda of understanding with sporting bodies or ensure 'Know Your Customer' principles like European counterparts.
Ralf Mutschke, FIFA's head of security, says better coordination with law enforcement agencies would also help. Efforts to tackle match-fixing are hampered by the fact that it is not a criminal offence in every country.
Laila Mintas, head of legal at FIFA's EWS, told a gaming conference in London this month: "We would appreciate the European Union taking a lead by setting the minimum national regulations on match-fixing."
For Sportradar's Paterson, match-fixing has become such an issue that left unchecked it could seriously challenge the game's integrity.
"Who wants to go to a football match where people know the results already? You might as well go and watch worldwide wrestling."
June 19, 2012
FIFA Extends Bans For Match-Fixing In South Korea And Croatia
World soccer’s ruling body FIFA extended punishments worldwide to 13 people involved in match- fixing in South Korea and Croatia.
The action follows domestic investigations by those countries’ soccer associations and is in accordance with FIFA’s disciplinary code, the governing body said in a statement. The bans range from five years to life.
The number of sanctions extended in South Korea will increase, pending a review of additional cases, FIFA added. Some of the people implicated in Croatia still face criminal investigation.
“These cases prove once more that the threat of illegal betting and match-fixing is not only confined to one part of the world,” FIFA director of security Ralf Mutschke said in the statement.
“The integrity of sport, and especially football, is hugely at risk and FIFA is firmly determined to combat this threat.”
FIFA’s latest action follows the extension of 45 domestic sanctions in Turkey and Finland to have global effect in February and April.
The action follows domestic investigations by those countries’ soccer associations and is in accordance with FIFA’s disciplinary code, the governing body said in a statement. The bans range from five years to life.
The number of sanctions extended in South Korea will increase, pending a review of additional cases, FIFA added. Some of the people implicated in Croatia still face criminal investigation.
“These cases prove once more that the threat of illegal betting and match-fixing is not only confined to one part of the world,” FIFA director of security Ralf Mutschke said in the statement.
“The integrity of sport, and especially football, is hugely at risk and FIFA is firmly determined to combat this threat.”
FIFA’s latest action follows the extension of 45 domestic sanctions in Turkey and Finland to have global effect in February and April.
March 05, 2012
Former Interpol director Ralf Mutschke named as FIFA's director of security
FIFA has been quick to fill the gap to be left in May when Chris Eaton, their director of security, leaves after becoming arguably the game's most high-profile figure in the battle against global match fixing.
Eaton is joining the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and will be replaced at FIFA by highly-qualified German law enforcement official Ralf Mutschke (pictured).
The 52-year-old is currently senior manager at the German Federal Criminal Police Office and a former Interpol director and takes up his new role on June 1.
FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke said the division will be beefed up under Mutschke's supervision.
"We have decided to strengthen the former security department, making it into a full division in order to continue to tackle all issues related to football security and the protection of the integrity of the game," said Valcke.
"This is another major step in our determination to ensure a clean and safe sport and to underline our commitment to the fight against match fixing in football."
Mutschke set out his priority as "the integrity of FIFA competitions...match fixing, betting fraud and corruption".
He has 33 years of experience and used to work under Helmut Spahn – the ICSS's executive director who managed to prize Eaton away.
Mutschke said he took on the position because the integrity of sport was "hugely at risk".
"The values of fair play, respect, discipline and honesty are under threat," he told fifa.com.
"I think I can make a good contribution.
"I spent ten years on the beat fighting drug dealing and organised criminality, and I've now been working in police management for around 20 years, developing crime-fighting strategies and organising day-to-day police work.
"We'll need to cooperate closely with security authorities at a domestic and international level, which is where my experience will help."
Eaton is joining the Qatar-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and will be replaced at FIFA by highly-qualified German law enforcement official Ralf Mutschke (pictured).
The 52-year-old is currently senior manager at the German Federal Criminal Police Office and a former Interpol director and takes up his new role on June 1.
FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke said the division will be beefed up under Mutschke's supervision.
"This is another major step in our determination to ensure a clean and safe sport and to underline our commitment to the fight against match fixing in football."
Mutschke set out his priority as "the integrity of FIFA competitions...match fixing, betting fraud and corruption".
He has 33 years of experience and used to work under Helmut Spahn – the ICSS's executive director who managed to prize Eaton away.
Mutschke said he took on the position because the integrity of sport was "hugely at risk".
"The values of fair play, respect, discipline and honesty are under threat," he told fifa.com.
"I think I can make a good contribution.
"I spent ten years on the beat fighting drug dealing and organised criminality, and I've now been working in police management for around 20 years, developing crime-fighting strategies and organising day-to-day police work.
"We'll need to cooperate closely with security authorities at a domestic and international level, which is where my experience will help."
August 04, 2011
World Cup 2014: Shadow of alleged match-fixing already haunting competition
The preliminary draw for Brazil’s World Cup took place on Saturday but already the shadow of alleged match-fixing has touched the 2014 qualifying tournament.
The threat of fixing was highlighted by Fifa president Sepp Blatter prior to the draw in Rio and Telegraph Sport can disclose that one of the early rounds of Asian qualifying has been internally investigated following allegations of manipulation.
Fifa investigators have been alerted to unusual betting patterns in connection with the two-legged tie between Cambodia and Laos in the first round of the Asian Football Confederation qualifying zone.
Both countries were eliminated before the preliminary draw in Rio, but the case highlights the rash of match-fixing allegations that have touched teams in more than 50 countries.
The first game in Phnom Penh on June 29 was won 4-2 by Cambodia, with the return in Vientiane on July 3 won by Laos 6-2 after extra time, enough for them to progress to the second round. The second leg was followed by accusations in Cambodia that the game was manipulated, and Telegraph Sport understands that data from betting monitoring software, including the Early Warning System used by Fifa, has highlighted unusual patterns, particularly in the first game.
The last goal in that game, scored by Cambodia in the 88th minute, attracted highly unusual betting patterns. With 86 minutes gone Cambodia were five-to-one on to score again on Asian handicap markets, an extreme price.
According to footage of the game on YouTube, Cambodia had two goals disallowed in the last six minutes, after 84 and 86 minutes, and Laos had a penalty appeal turned down in the 88th minute shortly before Cambodia’s Samel Nasa scored.
The second leg finished 4-2 to Laos after 90 minutes, with two further goals in extra time sealing their progress to the second round, where they lost to China 13-3 on aggregate.
Fifa would not comment on whether the case was part of its ongoing investigation into match fixing.
In a statement Fifa said: “We cannot confirm or deny any specific investigation taking place on these matches”.
The Football Federation of Cambodia carried out an internal investigation after receiving allegations that the games might have been manipulated, but has found no evidence of match-fixing.
In an emailed response to questions May Tola, the deputy general-secretary of the FFC, said that it had heard “unconfirmed rumours” about the tie, and that supporters had made accusations after the disappointment of the second-leg defeat.
“Some had accused players of result manipulation,” Tola wrote.
“Immediately after the team returned home, our FFC leadership has instructed the federation to form an investigation commission to find out if there is any irregularities as rumoured accusation [sic].
“After thorough examination and discussion, the Commission has found no substantial evidence or suspicion that the match had been manipulated by players or whosoevers [sic] within the team.”
The acting president of the Asian Football Confederation told Telegraph Sport that while he was not aware of any direct evidence that the Cambodia v Laos games were “not genuinely contested”, the allegations underlined “the destructive nature of match-fixing”.
Zhang Jilong, of China, who became acting president when Mohamed bin Hammam was suspended by Fifa, described match-fixing as a “pandemic” in world football, and is hoping to open a dedicated Fifa security office in Asia next year.
Jilong said: “There is no doubt that match-fixing is a real danger to football’s ethical values and needs to be completely eliminated to preserve the sanctity of the sport.
"AFC will not rest until this plague is completely stamped out in Asia.”
Asia is considered the hub of match-fixing and Jilong is in talks with Fifa’s security department to open a dedicated security office in Asia by the start of 2012.
The latest concerns come as Fifa prepares to take disciplinary action against six match officials involved in two notorious internationals staged in Antalya, Turkey, in February, in which all seven goals were penalties.
The referees, from Hungary and Bosnia, have been summoned to appear at a disciplinary hearing in Zurich next week, though none is expected to attend having already been banned for life by their home federations.
The threat of fixing was highlighted by Fifa president Sepp Blatter prior to the draw in Rio and Telegraph Sport can disclose that one of the early rounds of Asian qualifying has been internally investigated following allegations of manipulation.
Fifa investigators have been alerted to unusual betting patterns in connection with the two-legged tie between Cambodia and Laos in the first round of the Asian Football Confederation qualifying zone.
Both countries were eliminated before the preliminary draw in Rio, but the case highlights the rash of match-fixing allegations that have touched teams in more than 50 countries.
The first game in Phnom Penh on June 29 was won 4-2 by Cambodia, with the return in Vientiane on July 3 won by Laos 6-2 after extra time, enough for them to progress to the second round. The second leg was followed by accusations in Cambodia that the game was manipulated, and Telegraph Sport understands that data from betting monitoring software, including the Early Warning System used by Fifa, has highlighted unusual patterns, particularly in the first game.
The last goal in that game, scored by Cambodia in the 88th minute, attracted highly unusual betting patterns. With 86 minutes gone Cambodia were five-to-one on to score again on Asian handicap markets, an extreme price.
According to footage of the game on YouTube, Cambodia had two goals disallowed in the last six minutes, after 84 and 86 minutes, and Laos had a penalty appeal turned down in the 88th minute shortly before Cambodia’s Samel Nasa scored.
The second leg finished 4-2 to Laos after 90 minutes, with two further goals in extra time sealing their progress to the second round, where they lost to China 13-3 on aggregate.
Fifa would not comment on whether the case was part of its ongoing investigation into match fixing.
In a statement Fifa said: “We cannot confirm or deny any specific investigation taking place on these matches”.
The Football Federation of Cambodia carried out an internal investigation after receiving allegations that the games might have been manipulated, but has found no evidence of match-fixing.
In an emailed response to questions May Tola, the deputy general-secretary of the FFC, said that it had heard “unconfirmed rumours” about the tie, and that supporters had made accusations after the disappointment of the second-leg defeat.
“Some had accused players of result manipulation,” Tola wrote.
“Immediately after the team returned home, our FFC leadership has instructed the federation to form an investigation commission to find out if there is any irregularities as rumoured accusation [sic].
“After thorough examination and discussion, the Commission has found no substantial evidence or suspicion that the match had been manipulated by players or whosoevers [sic] within the team.”
The acting president of the Asian Football Confederation told Telegraph Sport that while he was not aware of any direct evidence that the Cambodia v Laos games were “not genuinely contested”, the allegations underlined “the destructive nature of match-fixing”.
Zhang Jilong, of China, who became acting president when Mohamed bin Hammam was suspended by Fifa, described match-fixing as a “pandemic” in world football, and is hoping to open a dedicated Fifa security office in Asia next year.
Jilong said: “There is no doubt that match-fixing is a real danger to football’s ethical values and needs to be completely eliminated to preserve the sanctity of the sport.
"AFC will not rest until this plague is completely stamped out in Asia.”
Asia is considered the hub of match-fixing and Jilong is in talks with Fifa’s security department to open a dedicated security office in Asia by the start of 2012.
The latest concerns come as Fifa prepares to take disciplinary action against six match officials involved in two notorious internationals staged in Antalya, Turkey, in February, in which all seven goals were penalties.
The referees, from Hungary and Bosnia, have been summoned to appear at a disciplinary hearing in Zurich next week, though none is expected to attend having already been banned for life by their home federations.
June 21, 2011
FIFA’s Security Head Says Significant Match-Fix Arrest Made in Singapore
The arrest of a Singaporean man by police in Malaysia on soccer match-fixing charges may be one of the most significant to date, according to the head of security at the sport’s governing body.
Rajendran Kurusamy, 51, was arrested three weeks after Malaysian police were given a photo and other details by FIFA officials. He’s been linked to match-fixing cases in Under-20 matches. The arrest comes as Wilson Raj Perumal, a Singaporean, and nine members of the same Finish team are accused of fixing games there.
“He’s potentially more significant than Perumal,” Chris Eaton said in a telephone interview from Singapore, adding Kurusamy has been working in “Europe and likely Central America, too, in my estimation.”
FIFA is investigating several games that officials suspect have been compromised by match-fixers, including Nigeria’s 4-1 victory over Argentina in an exhibition match on June 1. They’re also looking at a games between a team purporting to represent the West African state of Togo and Bahrain as well as matches games between Bulgaria and Estonia, and Bolivia and Latvia in Turkey, where all seven goals were scored from penalties.
FIFA set up an Early Warning System to detect suspicious betting patterns, which sparked the investigation into the Nigeria game. It’s also giving Interpol 20 million euros ($28.6 million) over 10 years to help tackle the problem. The groups are working on an anti-corruption center in Singapore.
“We’re seeing an explosion in the investigating and detection of match fixing,” Eaton said. “My estimation is this is because there’s more awareness of match-fixing and more recognition by police agencies to eradicate it.”
The size of the illegal gambling market is estimated to be worth $90 billion, according to the World Lottery Association, a lobbying group for state-backed lotteries.
Rajendran Kurusamy, 51, was arrested three weeks after Malaysian police were given a photo and other details by FIFA officials. He’s been linked to match-fixing cases in Under-20 matches. The arrest comes as Wilson Raj Perumal, a Singaporean, and nine members of the same Finish team are accused of fixing games there.
“He’s potentially more significant than Perumal,” Chris Eaton said in a telephone interview from Singapore, adding Kurusamy has been working in “Europe and likely Central America, too, in my estimation.”
FIFA is investigating several games that officials suspect have been compromised by match-fixers, including Nigeria’s 4-1 victory over Argentina in an exhibition match on June 1. They’re also looking at a games between a team purporting to represent the West African state of Togo and Bahrain as well as matches games between Bulgaria and Estonia, and Bolivia and Latvia in Turkey, where all seven goals were scored from penalties.
FIFA set up an Early Warning System to detect suspicious betting patterns, which sparked the investigation into the Nigeria game. It’s also giving Interpol 20 million euros ($28.6 million) over 10 years to help tackle the problem. The groups are working on an anti-corruption center in Singapore.
“We’re seeing an explosion in the investigating and detection of match fixing,” Eaton said. “My estimation is this is because there’s more awareness of match-fixing and more recognition by police agencies to eradicate it.”
The size of the illegal gambling market is estimated to be worth $90 billion, according to the World Lottery Association, a lobbying group for state-backed lotteries.
April 30, 2011
FIFA: Academy of match-fixers operating out of Singapore
An “academy of match-fixers”operating out of Singapore could be responsible for rigging matches around the world, FIFA’s head of security Chris Eaton said in a newspaper interview on Saturday.
Eaton, who worked for Interpol for more than a decade before joining world football’s governing body, told Singapore’s The New Paper that a global investigation into match-fixing saw many of the lines of inquiry focused on the Southeast Asian city-state.
“Singapore seems to feature a great deal in these (match-fixing) allegations,” Eaton said in the interview in Finland.
“I form the conclusion that Singapore seems to have an academy of match-fixers, and that many of the inquiries we’re making on behalf of FIFA are coming back to Singapore.”
Investigators had delivered their findings to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who has already vowed to clamp down on match-fixing.
Eaton said that while gambling on football was not the problem, criminal networks were eager to cash in on the tens of millions of euros being made through match-fixing.
The newspaper said a report published in December 2009 estimated $450 billion (S$632.5 billion) a year was wagered in Asia, including illegal and legal betting.
“With that kind of financial interest, criminals, being the greedy beasts they are, try to find ways to milk the potential windfall,” he added.
In Finland, Tampere United were expelled from all competitions by the Finnish FA earlier this month over irregularities related to a marketing deal.
The FA’s disciplinary committee said Tampere had allowed Singaporean firm Exclusive Sport PTE Ltd to improperly influence the choice of players for certain matches as part of a marketing deal. Tampere have since been reinstated pending an appeal.
A Singaporean man working for Exclusive Sport PTE Ltd was in late February detained by Finnish police as he was using a fake ID. He is suspected of fixing matches in Finland and elsewhere.
Eaton, who worked for Interpol for more than a decade before joining world football’s governing body, told Singapore’s The New Paper that a global investigation into match-fixing saw many of the lines of inquiry focused on the Southeast Asian city-state.
“Singapore seems to feature a great deal in these (match-fixing) allegations,” Eaton said in the interview in Finland.
“I form the conclusion that Singapore seems to have an academy of match-fixers, and that many of the inquiries we’re making on behalf of FIFA are coming back to Singapore.”
Investigators had delivered their findings to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who has already vowed to clamp down on match-fixing.
Eaton said that while gambling on football was not the problem, criminal networks were eager to cash in on the tens of millions of euros being made through match-fixing.
The newspaper said a report published in December 2009 estimated $450 billion (S$632.5 billion) a year was wagered in Asia, including illegal and legal betting.
“With that kind of financial interest, criminals, being the greedy beasts they are, try to find ways to milk the potential windfall,” he added.
In Finland, Tampere United were expelled from all competitions by the Finnish FA earlier this month over irregularities related to a marketing deal.
The FA’s disciplinary committee said Tampere had allowed Singaporean firm Exclusive Sport PTE Ltd to improperly influence the choice of players for certain matches as part of a marketing deal. Tampere have since been reinstated pending an appeal.
A Singaporean man working for Exclusive Sport PTE Ltd was in late February detained by Finnish police as he was using a fake ID. He is suspected of fixing matches in Finland and elsewhere.
February 17, 2011
FIFA investigates possible match fixing after seven goals - all penalties - are scored in two friendly internationals
The credibility of friendly international matches and FIFA’s ability to adequately regulate them is facing a fresh challenge after serious suspicions of match fixing were raised over two games held on Wednesday last week in Turkey.
FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that it was examining whether there were suspicious betting patterns surrounding Bolivia’s 2-1 defeat of Latvia and the 2-2 draw between Estonia and Bulgaria.
The games were played consecutively on neutral territory at the Mardan Stadium in Antalya. All seven goals were penalties, an outcome described by one bookmaking source as “freakishly unlikely”. One of the penalties was ordered to be retaken after the first kick was missed.
FIFA is examining whether the games were manipulated to enable gamblers to profit on the market for total goals in each game.
Both matches are understood to have been handled by the same team of Hungarian officials, who, according to the authorities in Budapest, were qualified only to officiate in the third tier of domestic football. The referee, identified as Kolos Lengyl, and his assistants, have been suspended by the Hungarian football federation pending the outcome of the inquiry.
FIFA confirmed that it was investigating the matches after being alerted by “various sources”, and claimed that its Early Warning System, which monitors betting patterns with legitimate bookmakers, had informed the investigation. UEFA and FIFA were alerted to concerns over the games as early as Jan 29.
The lack of oversight of the arrangements for the game, and the confusion over the match officials, raise questions over the credibility of friendly internationals at a time when they are increasingly unpopular with major European clubs and leagues.
Estonian FA spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht said on Tuesday that the federation president, Aivar Pohlack, wrote to UEFA and FIFA raising his concerns about the arrangements for their game. Pohlack was particularly concerned about the lack of clarity over the identity of the officials.
Despite this the matches still went ahead and the identity of the referee remained uncertain until three days after the game when the Hungarian FA confirmed it believed Lengyl was in charge.
The Estonian, Latvian and Bolivian federations have expressed their concerns over the handling of the matches, and insist that their teams were not involved in anything untoward. Uiboleht said the federation’s concerns were not shared with the players at any stage.
The Bulgarian FA was unavailable for comment, though manager Lothar Matthaüs said after the game: “I do not want to watch any more matches like the one against Estonia. It is very hard to motivate the players in such a gloomy atmosphere when they play in front of just 100 spectators.”
“All the arrangements for the matches were of a good level apart from the suspicious penalties,” Janis Mezeckis, the secretary general of the Latvian FA.
Bolivia led 2-0 after being awarded penalties either side of half-time before the referee gave Latvia their spot kick in the second half. “One of the penalties was 400 per cent a penalty but the other two were probably 50-50 penalties. It is hard to comment on the referees but sometimes you see even a good referee gives a team a penalty if he knows he has made a mistake with a penalty for the other side,” Mezeckis said.
Uiboleht said there were concerns over the spot kicks in the Estonia-Bulgaria match too, but said it was impossible to be sure without access to betting records.
“It raises suspicions because of the number of penalties but the only way of identifying whether a match has been fixed is by looking at the betting records. We have received reports from our partners and passed them to FIFA.”
Estonia’s penalties came in the 20th and 80th minutes, with Bulgaria’s awarded in the 40th and 83rd. All four teams were approached independently by a company calling itself Footy Media International. It claimed to have offices in London and Tokyo, but as negotiations continued a related company, Footy Sports International, thought to be based in Thailand, took the lead.
Footy Media International is understood to have a website but it went down when news of the controversy emerged, and there is no company with that name registered with Companies House in the UK. There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the company.
FIFA regulations require friendly internationals to be arranged by approved match agents.
The Estonian FA is understood to have been offered a five-figure euro fee for taking part in the match, described as normal for a fixture at that level. It is thought the game was televised only in Bulgaria, with the broadcast rights residing with Footy Sports Media.
A second series of matches scheduled for next month at the same venue was cancelled this week after the Bolivian FA said it was no longer willing to take part.
FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that it was examining whether there were suspicious betting patterns surrounding Bolivia’s 2-1 defeat of Latvia and the 2-2 draw between Estonia and Bulgaria.
The games were played consecutively on neutral territory at the Mardan Stadium in Antalya. All seven goals were penalties, an outcome described by one bookmaking source as “freakishly unlikely”. One of the penalties was ordered to be retaken after the first kick was missed.
FIFA is examining whether the games were manipulated to enable gamblers to profit on the market for total goals in each game.
Both matches are understood to have been handled by the same team of Hungarian officials, who, according to the authorities in Budapest, were qualified only to officiate in the third tier of domestic football. The referee, identified as Kolos Lengyl, and his assistants, have been suspended by the Hungarian football federation pending the outcome of the inquiry.
FIFA confirmed that it was investigating the matches after being alerted by “various sources”, and claimed that its Early Warning System, which monitors betting patterns with legitimate bookmakers, had informed the investigation. UEFA and FIFA were alerted to concerns over the games as early as Jan 29.
The lack of oversight of the arrangements for the game, and the confusion over the match officials, raise questions over the credibility of friendly internationals at a time when they are increasingly unpopular with major European clubs and leagues.
Estonian FA spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht said on Tuesday that the federation president, Aivar Pohlack, wrote to UEFA and FIFA raising his concerns about the arrangements for their game. Pohlack was particularly concerned about the lack of clarity over the identity of the officials.
Despite this the matches still went ahead and the identity of the referee remained uncertain until three days after the game when the Hungarian FA confirmed it believed Lengyl was in charge.
The Estonian, Latvian and Bolivian federations have expressed their concerns over the handling of the matches, and insist that their teams were not involved in anything untoward. Uiboleht said the federation’s concerns were not shared with the players at any stage.
The Bulgarian FA was unavailable for comment, though manager Lothar Matthaüs said after the game: “I do not want to watch any more matches like the one against Estonia. It is very hard to motivate the players in such a gloomy atmosphere when they play in front of just 100 spectators.”
“All the arrangements for the matches were of a good level apart from the suspicious penalties,” Janis Mezeckis, the secretary general of the Latvian FA.
Bolivia led 2-0 after being awarded penalties either side of half-time before the referee gave Latvia their spot kick in the second half. “One of the penalties was 400 per cent a penalty but the other two were probably 50-50 penalties. It is hard to comment on the referees but sometimes you see even a good referee gives a team a penalty if he knows he has made a mistake with a penalty for the other side,” Mezeckis said.
Uiboleht said there were concerns over the spot kicks in the Estonia-Bulgaria match too, but said it was impossible to be sure without access to betting records.
“It raises suspicions because of the number of penalties but the only way of identifying whether a match has been fixed is by looking at the betting records. We have received reports from our partners and passed them to FIFA.”
Estonia’s penalties came in the 20th and 80th minutes, with Bulgaria’s awarded in the 40th and 83rd. All four teams were approached independently by a company calling itself Footy Media International. It claimed to have offices in London and Tokyo, but as negotiations continued a related company, Footy Sports International, thought to be based in Thailand, took the lead.
Footy Media International is understood to have a website but it went down when news of the controversy emerged, and there is no company with that name registered with Companies House in the UK. There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the company.
FIFA regulations require friendly internationals to be arranged by approved match agents.
The Estonian FA is understood to have been offered a five-figure euro fee for taking part in the match, described as normal for a fixture at that level. It is thought the game was televised only in Bulgaria, with the broadcast rights residing with Footy Sports Media.
A second series of matches scheduled for next month at the same venue was cancelled this week after the Bolivian FA said it was no longer willing to take part.
February 15, 2011
FIFA opens match-fixing probe
FIFA is investigating claims that four national teams were brought to Turkey for exhibition games last week suspected of being fixed as part of a betting scam.
Officials from Latvia and Bolivia, Estonia and Bulgaria are working with FIFA regarding the double-header in Antalya last Wednesday that was arranged by the company Footy Sport International.
Curiously, the games produced seven goals that were all scored from penalty kicks, including one that was ordered retaken after the initial spot kick was missed.
The Estonian federation said Monday it had suspicions two weeks earlier. The Latvian governing body still does not know the identity of the match officials despite confronting them before kickoff and repeatedly asking the company for information.
FIFA has asked all four federations for their versions of events to help.
It's not the first time an exhibition arranged by a company has drawn suspicion. Last September, a fake Togo team lost 3-0 to Bahrain in a game arranged by a match agent with Singapore connections.
Neither national team filed a complaint, so FIFA didn't formally investigate suspicions that the host Bahrainis were duped into playing a game they were certain to easily win. The Togo federation banned one of its coaches for his role in the affair.
In an apparently similar case, a team posing as Zimbabwe's first choice admitted throwing matches on its tour of Thailand and Malaysia in December 2009. Players said they received instructions at halftime to ensure the correct results were achieved for the types of wagers that had been staked.
Michel Platini, the former French star now president of the Union of European Football Associations, has called match-fixing the biggest danger facing the game.
In Turkey, the scoring was dictated entirely by referees' decisions, as Latvia beat Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia and Bulgaria played out a 2-2 tie.
Latvian Football Federation spokesman Martins Hartmanis said the identities of the referees for its game remain still unknown despite numerous written and verbal requests to the company.
Hartmanis claimed to have insisted on FIFA-designated referees for the match, but two weeks before the game received the names of three referees -- supposedly from the Czech Republic -- who weren't on FIFA's list of international officials.
Before the game, organizers said the referees were from Hungary, but when Latvian officials approached the referees, they claimed to be from Croatia.
"This turned about to be a bit confusing, but it was 15 minutes before kickoff and our general manager didn't want to stop the referees from preparing for the game," Hartmanis said.
Estonian Football Association spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht said suspicions about possible match-fixing arose two weeks before the games. He declined to give details.
"But these are suspicions that we considered worthy of passing on to necessary authorities," he said.
The Bolivian federation said it sent a message to FIFA President Sepp Blatter asking for "an exhaustive investigation."
"We have also filed a complaint with the company that contracted the matches," federation director Alberto Lozada said.
Bolivia also has canceled a scheduled return visit to Turkey next month for matches against Finland and Bulgaria.
FIFA declined comment Monday. Soccer's governing body is likely to examine whether any official from Footy Sport International, reportedly based in Thailand, had the required FIFA authority to organize a match between European and South American teams.
Under FIFA rules, national teams are free to choose their opponents for exhibitions and play in neutral countries, but only FIFA-licensed match agents can stage games between teams from different continents.
Officials from Latvia and Bolivia, Estonia and Bulgaria are working with FIFA regarding the double-header in Antalya last Wednesday that was arranged by the company Footy Sport International.
Curiously, the games produced seven goals that were all scored from penalty kicks, including one that was ordered retaken after the initial spot kick was missed.
The Estonian federation said Monday it had suspicions two weeks earlier. The Latvian governing body still does not know the identity of the match officials despite confronting them before kickoff and repeatedly asking the company for information.
FIFA has asked all four federations for their versions of events to help.
It's not the first time an exhibition arranged by a company has drawn suspicion. Last September, a fake Togo team lost 3-0 to Bahrain in a game arranged by a match agent with Singapore connections.
Neither national team filed a complaint, so FIFA didn't formally investigate suspicions that the host Bahrainis were duped into playing a game they were certain to easily win. The Togo federation banned one of its coaches for his role in the affair.
In an apparently similar case, a team posing as Zimbabwe's first choice admitted throwing matches on its tour of Thailand and Malaysia in December 2009. Players said they received instructions at halftime to ensure the correct results were achieved for the types of wagers that had been staked.
Michel Platini, the former French star now president of the Union of European Football Associations, has called match-fixing the biggest danger facing the game.
In Turkey, the scoring was dictated entirely by referees' decisions, as Latvia beat Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia and Bulgaria played out a 2-2 tie.
Latvian Football Federation spokesman Martins Hartmanis said the identities of the referees for its game remain still unknown despite numerous written and verbal requests to the company.
Hartmanis claimed to have insisted on FIFA-designated referees for the match, but two weeks before the game received the names of three referees -- supposedly from the Czech Republic -- who weren't on FIFA's list of international officials.
Before the game, organizers said the referees were from Hungary, but when Latvian officials approached the referees, they claimed to be from Croatia.
"This turned about to be a bit confusing, but it was 15 minutes before kickoff and our general manager didn't want to stop the referees from preparing for the game," Hartmanis said.
Estonian Football Association spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht said suspicions about possible match-fixing arose two weeks before the games. He declined to give details.
"But these are suspicions that we considered worthy of passing on to necessary authorities," he said.
The Bolivian federation said it sent a message to FIFA President Sepp Blatter asking for "an exhaustive investigation."
"We have also filed a complaint with the company that contracted the matches," federation director Alberto Lozada said.
Bolivia also has canceled a scheduled return visit to Turkey next month for matches against Finland and Bulgaria.
FIFA declined comment Monday. Soccer's governing body is likely to examine whether any official from Footy Sport International, reportedly based in Thailand, had the required FIFA authority to organize a match between European and South American teams.
Under FIFA rules, national teams are free to choose their opponents for exhibitions and play in neutral countries, but only FIFA-licensed match agents can stage games between teams from different continents.
July 09, 2010
FIFA issue match-fixing statement
The announcement comes in response to the BBC's revelation that FIFA had received warnings, before the start of the competition, that the Super Eagles could be "vulnerable" to potential attempts to sway results.
The governing body have not denied being given such information, but stated that their own subsequent investigations have shown no evidence of any wrong-doing.
"FIFA and the Early Warning System (EWS) have a network of informants from which we receive information," read the statement
"Of course, as you may understand, we will not disclose the identity of the informants. What we can say is that at least until today no information provided by the informants to FIFA in relation to any potential match-fixing activities during the 2010 FIFA World Cup have proved to have any substance.
"Furthermore, we can also say that there is no indication whatsoever until today of any match-fixing situations during any of the matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup."
The governing body have not denied being given such information, but stated that their own subsequent investigations have shown no evidence of any wrong-doing.
"FIFA and the Early Warning System (EWS) have a network of informants from which we receive information," read the statement
"Of course, as you may understand, we will not disclose the identity of the informants. What we can say is that at least until today no information provided by the informants to FIFA in relation to any potential match-fixing activities during the 2010 FIFA World Cup have proved to have any substance.
"Furthermore, we can also say that there is no indication whatsoever until today of any match-fixing situations during any of the matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup."
January 25, 2010
Match fixing scandals plague China’s domestic league
In the latest blow to the world of Chinese football, three high-ranking officials in the Chinese Football Association (CFA) have been detained under suspicion of being involved in match-fixing. The arrests represent a goal on the part of a recent high-profile campaign to clean up the nation’s football leagues and to stop recent trends of match fixing and illegal sports gambling.
Chinese gambling laws have not changed much since 1949, when most forms of gambling in the country were made illegal. Today, a limited sports lottery represents the extent of ‘official’ sports betting in the country. Even though this lottery sees annual profits in excess of $1 billion, this pales in comparison to the amount of money exchanged through underground sports betting operations, and through online sportsbooks in China.
The officials who were detained are Nan Yong and Yang Yimin, both vice-presidents of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), and Zhang Jianqiang, who was in charge of referee assignments. These detentions occurred on the tail of two others last week: Jia Xiuquan, former head coach of the national Olympic team, and Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League (CSL) are also being questioned by police.
Unfortunately, the problems with Chinese football go beyond match fixing. Nan, one of the men detained, is also accused of using his connections to pick host cities for international matches that offer good “connections” for him and his associates. Nan is also thought to be involved in some kind of deal with former sponsor Iphox, a British company that pledged 50 million yuan ($7.3 million). Iphox has yet to pay, and Nan, though responsible for the contract, has yet to go after the money.
Some believe that nothing short of a complete restructuring of CFA management can save Chinese football. This might be just what is happening here. While this kind of “house cleaning” won’t necessarily end the problems with internet betting in China, it seems like a good enough place to start.
The officials who were detained are Nan Yong and Yang Yimin, both vice-presidents of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), and Zhang Jianqiang, who was in charge of referee assignments. These detentions occurred on the tail of two others last week: Jia Xiuquan, former head coach of the national Olympic team, and Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League (CSL) are also being questioned by police.
Unfortunately, the problems with Chinese football go beyond match fixing. Nan, one of the men detained, is also accused of using his connections to pick host cities for international matches that offer good “connections” for him and his associates. Nan is also thought to be involved in some kind of deal with former sponsor Iphox, a British company that pledged 50 million yuan ($7.3 million). Iphox has yet to pay, and Nan, though responsible for the contract, has yet to go after the money.
Some believe that nothing short of a complete restructuring of CFA management can save Chinese football. This might be just what is happening here. While this kind of “house cleaning” won’t necessarily end the problems with internet betting in China, it seems like a good enough place to start.
December 02, 2009
Spain to probe players suspected of betting on matches
Spanish authorities will open an investigation into players suspected of betting on the outcome of matches, the country's football federation (RFEF) said on their website (www.rfef.es) on Tuesday.
This month German police uncovered what European football's governing body UEFA described as the biggest match-fixing scandal on the continent.
"UEFA, through an international investigation into European football, alerted the RFEF of the existence of infractions committed by sportsmen who had betted on the outcome of matches they were playing in, and others," the RFEF said.
Initial enquiries have led to the federation alerting the state prosecutor as some of the activities could be classed as criminal offences.
Two weeks ago, German police said they had dismantled a gang with more than 200 suspected members operating in nine European leagues.
Police in Germany, Britain, Austria and Switzerland staged simultaneous raids arresting 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland.
The gang is suspected of having paid off referees, players and officials to win at least 10 million euros (9.1 million pounds), with officials speculating this to be the tip of the iceberg only.
This month German police uncovered what European football's governing body UEFA described as the biggest match-fixing scandal on the continent.
"UEFA, through an international investigation into European football, alerted the RFEF of the existence of infractions committed by sportsmen who had betted on the outcome of matches they were playing in, and others," the RFEF said.
Initial enquiries have led to the federation alerting the state prosecutor as some of the activities could be classed as criminal offences.
Two weeks ago, German police said they had dismantled a gang with more than 200 suspected members operating in nine European leagues.
Police in Germany, Britain, Austria and Switzerland staged simultaneous raids arresting 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland.
The gang is suspected of having paid off referees, players and officials to win at least 10 million euros (9.1 million pounds), with officials speculating this to be the tip of the iceberg only.
December 01, 2009
FIFA warns on illegal betting
FIFA has warned South Africans not to get involved in illegal betting syndicates, mostly from Asia, that are expected to descend on the country en masse in the run-up to the World Cup.
FIFA says the multibillion-dollar industry is controlled by organised criminals who engage in loan-sharking and use intimidation and violence to collect debts.
And while illegal betting is not as big in South Africa as it is in Europe and the Far East, SA Football Association boss Kirsten Nematandani has warned local referees and premier league teams to be vigilant.
He said Safa was already investigating several claims of match-fixing in the PSL and had sent all premier league referees for lie-detector tests. A report was due soon, he said.
"I can't say much more about the claims but there are a number of allegations being investigated. We have to stay vigilant and continue to watch out for signs of match-fixing."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will hold an extraordinary general meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday. An ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Europe will be discussed.
Blatter said at the opening of the Soccerex business conference in Johannesburg on Monday that the economic crisis had resulted in some resorting to match-fixing.
"There is cheating, violence, doping, illegal betting and many other problems in the game," said Blatter.
FIFA had asked Early Warning System (EWS) in Switzerland to keep Asian crime syndicates and other gambling mafias around the world from fixing matches, he said.
EWS started monitoring the preliminary competition of the World Cup in 2007 and is now monitoring all FIFA competitions.
EWS spokesman Wolfgang Feldner said Africa's sports betting share on the world sports betting market was about one percent.
"Based on the estimation that the world-wide turnover for sports betting is over $300 billion (R2 219 billion) a year, we know there is an important share in illegal betting in this amount, particularly in the Asian market," he said.
"We cannot make statements or estimations about the illegal sports-betting market in South Africa in particular, but are monitoring the world-wide market," he said.
Interpol secretary-general Ronald Noble said in a 2008 report on illegal betting and organised crime that 430 people had been arrested and 272 underground gambling dens - handling $650m in illegal bets - had been shut down.
He said gambling on soccer matches might seem as harmless as placing a small bet on your favourite team but these illegal operations were often controlled by organised criminals who frequently engaged in loan-sharking and used intimidation and violence to collect debts.
"If that doesn't work, they force their desperate, indebted victims into drug smuggling, and the family members of victims into prostitution," said Noble.
"One must remember that organised crime never loses money in gambling operations - one way or another, they make a profit."
From 2003 to 2005, police in Hong Kong had seized more than $10m in cash and betting slips related to illegal soccer gambling.
Noble said that while it was difficult to determine the exact amount of money involved in the match-fixing, European football governing body UEFA had claimed that an overseas syndicate had made $5-million on one championship match alone in July 2007.
FIFA says the multibillion-dollar industry is controlled by organised criminals who engage in loan-sharking and use intimidation and violence to collect debts.
And while illegal betting is not as big in South Africa as it is in Europe and the Far East, SA Football Association boss Kirsten Nematandani has warned local referees and premier league teams to be vigilant.
He said Safa was already investigating several claims of match-fixing in the PSL and had sent all premier league referees for lie-detector tests. A report was due soon, he said.
"I can't say much more about the claims but there are a number of allegations being investigated. We have to stay vigilant and continue to watch out for signs of match-fixing."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will hold an extraordinary general meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday. An ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Europe will be discussed.
Blatter said at the opening of the Soccerex business conference in Johannesburg on Monday that the economic crisis had resulted in some resorting to match-fixing.
"There is cheating, violence, doping, illegal betting and many other problems in the game," said Blatter.
FIFA had asked Early Warning System (EWS) in Switzerland to keep Asian crime syndicates and other gambling mafias around the world from fixing matches, he said.
EWS started monitoring the preliminary competition of the World Cup in 2007 and is now monitoring all FIFA competitions.
EWS spokesman Wolfgang Feldner said Africa's sports betting share on the world sports betting market was about one percent.
"Based on the estimation that the world-wide turnover for sports betting is over $300 billion (R2 219 billion) a year, we know there is an important share in illegal betting in this amount, particularly in the Asian market," he said.
"We cannot make statements or estimations about the illegal sports-betting market in South Africa in particular, but are monitoring the world-wide market," he said.
Interpol secretary-general Ronald Noble said in a 2008 report on illegal betting and organised crime that 430 people had been arrested and 272 underground gambling dens - handling $650m in illegal bets - had been shut down.
He said gambling on soccer matches might seem as harmless as placing a small bet on your favourite team but these illegal operations were often controlled by organised criminals who frequently engaged in loan-sharking and used intimidation and violence to collect debts.
"If that doesn't work, they force their desperate, indebted victims into drug smuggling, and the family members of victims into prostitution," said Noble.
"One must remember that organised crime never loses money in gambling operations - one way or another, they make a profit."
From 2003 to 2005, police in Hong Kong had seized more than $10m in cash and betting slips related to illegal soccer gambling.
Noble said that while it was difficult to determine the exact amount of money involved in the match-fixing, European football governing body UEFA had claimed that an overseas syndicate had made $5-million on one championship match alone in July 2007.
March 26, 2009
UEFA to set up anti-corruption unit in Europe
UEFA are planning a Europe-wide anti-corruption network aimed at tackling match-fixing and illegal betting in all football competitions on the continent.
European football's governing body announced yesterday they are to set up a six-man special investigation unit to look into corruption in their competitions.
Currently, 15 matches from last season and 10 Intertoto Cup and UEFA Cup qualifiers this season are under investigation.
UEFA general secretary David Taylor said he wanted the network to be spread across Europe.
He said: "We will be setting up a special investigations unit to look into situations reported to us in terms of irregular betting. This is a danger in our game, we will not allow our sport to be destabilised by those who wish to manipulate it for their own monetary gains. We are employing extra people and strengthening our early warning systems to fight the war against illegal betting and corruption."
Taylor said talks would be held with national associations with a view to forming a European system covering all football competitions.
European football's governing body announced yesterday they are to set up a six-man special investigation unit to look into corruption in their competitions.
Currently, 15 matches from last season and 10 Intertoto Cup and UEFA Cup qualifiers this season are under investigation.
UEFA general secretary David Taylor said he wanted the network to be spread across Europe.He said: "We will be setting up a special investigations unit to look into situations reported to us in terms of irregular betting. This is a danger in our game, we will not allow our sport to be destabilised by those who wish to manipulate it for their own monetary gains. We are employing extra people and strengthening our early warning systems to fight the war against illegal betting and corruption."
Taylor said talks would be held with national associations with a view to forming a European system covering all football competitions.
March 25, 2009
FIFA to monitor sports betting at national level
Thanks to interest expressed by the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF), FIFA has paired up with the country’s governing body to monitor sports betting at the national level. Through FIFA’s Early Warning System GmbH (EWS), member clubs have access to advanced technical capabilities, in an attempt to provide additional support to current measures.
The EWS, which is already in place for the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches, will become part of the LFF’s strategy next month. As reported on fifa.com, the Early Warning System will be introduced to national competitions and various international football events down the road.
The system has been well-received to date, with a string of expansions and advancements made within the past three years to better serve the needs of member associations. The EWS found its way to a high-profile event when it was implemented by the Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Further improvements are planned for the system, which is provided by a Zurich-based company. Its purpose is to identify unusual betting activities and detect any actions that could suggest an attempt to influence matches.
The EWS, which is already in place for the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches, will become part of the LFF’s strategy next month. As reported on fifa.com, the Early Warning System will be introduced to national competitions and various international football events down the road.
The system has been well-received to date, with a string of expansions and advancements made within the past three years to better serve the needs of member associations. The EWS found its way to a high-profile event when it was implemented by the Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Further improvements are planned for the system, which is provided by a Zurich-based company. Its purpose is to identify unusual betting activities and detect any actions that could suggest an attempt to influence matches.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)