MATCH-FIXING RAIDS
Police allege Champions League fix attempt
A match-fixing ring with more than 200 suspected members fixed or attempted to fix dozens of matches across Europe, including three in the Champions League, German police said on Friday.
Police in Germany, Britain, Austria and Switzerland staged simultaneous raids and arrested 15 people as part of the investigation, which encompasses nine European leagues, Bochum police officials said at a news conference.
Twelve matches in the Europa League, the second-tier club competition behind the elite Champions League, were also under suspicion, police said.
UEFA confirmed more information about the 15 European games concerned would be given at a later date, but revealed they are part of the UEFA list of 40 matches that have previously been quoted as being 'under suspicion'.
A UEFA 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 said: "Firstly, I would like to thank the German authorities for their action and for the good collaboration.
"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.''
