Skip to content

Ominous match fixing allegations out of Europe, and look at these numbers

Feb 4, 2013, 10:20 AM EDT

Fans-flares

Match fixing is nothing new to sports; the next scandal is always out there.

But it’s the scale of this one that deserves our attention, not to mention connection to a few games at global soccer’s very highest levels.

Europol, the European Union’s joint police element, announced today that it has found 680 matches deserving of suspicion. The worst part: those matches include contests in the World Cup, matches in European Championship qualifiers and at least two contests in UEFA’s Champions League.

About 300 of those were in Africa, Asia, South America and Central America. Overall, as many as 425 officials, players and criminals are suspected of involvement.

Most of the past scandals in soccer have been contained to fairly obscure leagues or to lower tier associations, like the 2009 betting scandal. That one did involve three matches in the Champions League qualifying rounds, but most of the corruptions were in Eastern European leagues, and in the lower German divisions.

(MORE: FIFA security chief comments on Monday’s news)

Europol has yet to begin revealing the suspected players, clubs or officials, but consider this ominous warning from German investigator Friedhelm Althans: “This is the tip of the iceberg.”

As details remain scarce, we don’t know the percentage of matches in this round of match-fixing allegations remain in the lower leagues. Nor do we know if the Champions League matches mentioned are from early qualifying rounds as before (which usually involve lower-profile clubs) or matches further along, when the name clubs are front-and-center.

Latest Posts
  1. Manchester City rally downs Chelsea at the death in exciting US tour opener

    May 23, 2013, 11:24 PM EDT

    Chelsea Manchester City Soccer AP

    Manchester City overcame a 3-goal deficit at Busch Stadium in St. Louis as Edin Dzeko bagged a brace to beat Chelsea 4-3.

  2. Yahoo! reports: Mourinho to sign 4-year deal with Chelsea, will be unveiled June 2

    May 23, 2013, 11:03 PM EDT

    FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID Getty Images

    Just days after Jose Mourinho mutually parted ways with Real Madrid, he will be completing a deal to become Chelsea’s next manager, says Martin Rogers of Yahoo! Sports via Twitter.

  3. Roberto Martinez further delays decision on his future

    May 23, 2013, 9:54 PM EDT

    Wigan Athletic's manager Martinez holds his hand to his ear as the crowd cheers during victory parade after team won English FA Cup in Wigan Reuters

    Roberto Martinez has given himself more time to decide on his future at Wigan, and also gave them a wish list.

  4. Begovic trying to force a move?

    May 23, 2013, 8:44 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-STOKE-MAN UTD Getty Images

    Asmir Begovic is apparently intending on showing up at the door of another club to start training.

  5. Reports: Porto to bank on Moutinho and Rodriguez in shock double move

    May 23, 2013, 7:16 PM EDT

    Porto's Moutinho and team mate Rodriguez hold the trophy while they celebrate winning the Portuguese Premier League title after their soccer match against Pacos Ferreira at the Mata Real stadium in Pacos de Ferreira Reuters

    AS Monaco, rich with the injection of money from a Russian tycoon, are set to make a huge splash, possibly as much as €70 million.

  6. US U-18 squad in action in Portugal

    May 23, 2013, 6:35 PM EDT

    276fdaa735a1400f8312928af5055ee6.ashx

    The United States U-18 squad drew with the hosts in the middle of three group-stage matches during the 19th Annual Lisbon International Juniors Tournament.

  7. Toronto FC secures four Canadian national team callups

    May 23, 2013, 6:05 PM EDT

    jonathan-osorio-130330-6col

    20-year-old Jonathan Osorio picked up his debut call-up to the Canadian national team along with three other Toronto FC teammates ahead of their friendly against Costa Rica on Tuesday.

  8. Leighton Baines says Everton will be fine without Moyes, but will they?

    May 23, 2013, 5:11 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-EVERTON-WEST HAM Getty Images

    “Football clubs live on and we’ll live on, we’ll move on.” They’ll move on, they have to. But will they effectively?

  9. Berlin lands first Champions League final

    May 23, 2013, 3:56 PM EDT

    File photo of the Olympic stadium in Berlin Reuters

    With the upcoming Champions League final this weekend featuring an all-German cast, Germany secured another massive Champions League achievement today.

  10. Anyone else think Bayern Munich is playing dirty?

    May 23, 2013, 3:33 PM EDT

    PST Subo

    Anyone else bothered by the way Bayern Munich have conducted themselves ahead of this Saturday’s Champions League final?

  11. Titus Bramble on his way to MLS

    May 23, 2013, 2:39 PM EDT

    Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers - FA Cup Third Round Replay Getty Images

    Sunderland’s central defender will say goodbye to the English Premier League in exchange for a switch stateside.

  12. Manchester City president shoots down high-profile transfer links

    May 23, 2013, 2:00 PM EDT

    Manchester City Football Club CEO Soriano speaks at news conference in New York Reuters

    Chelsea fans will be delighted, while those supporting Manchester City are sure to question who’s on their team’s mind.

  13. Should Europa League winners be awarded a spot in the Champions League?

    May 23, 2013, 1:37 PM EDT

    PST Chel

    Should the champions of the Europa League be awarded a spot in the following season’s Champions League?

  14. Espanyol fans upset with Barca shirt on the statute of Christopher Columbus

    May 23, 2013, 12:07 PM EDT

    FBL-ESP-BARCELONA-COLUMBUS

    The city’s decision to permit Columbus to wear angers Espanyol fans, who believe Barca receives too much support from local institutions.

  15. Gonzalo Higuain close to Juventus move while others continue the chase

    May 23, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT

    FBL-ESP-LIGA-REALMADRID-VALLADOLID

    Despite notching an impressive 104 goals in 185 matches since moving to the Bernabeu in 2007, Higuain has struggled this season.

  16. What should Thomas Vermaelen do?

    May 23, 2013, 10:04 AM EDT

    Vermo

    With Arsenal rumored to be courting Swansea center-back Ashley Williams, Thomas Vermaelen has some decisions to make.

  17. Poor Strama, Allegri: Inter, AC Milan leave coaches in limbo

    May 22, 2013, 11:51 PM EDT

    FC Internazionale Milano v Udinese Calcio - Serie A Getty Images

    Serie A’s two Milanese clubs have yet to move for new head coaches.

  18. Full circle: Misantrope’s revival could land Benítez in Paris, Madrid, or Naples

    May 22, 2013, 11:06 PM EDT

    Chelsea's interim manager Benitez looks on before their English Premier League soccer match against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton

    Over the last three months, Rafa Benítez has reignited a floundering career.

  19. It’s piling on for Reign FC, who may permanently lose Megan Rapinoe to Lyon

    May 22, 2013, 10:14 PM EDT

    Megan Rapinoe

    The hits just keep on coming for the NWSL’s hard-luck team.

  20. U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round draw: What it means for your MLS team

    May 22, 2013, 9:20 PM EDT

    Open Cup logo

    The U.S. Open Cup draws sometimes need a decoder ring to decipher. Here’s a quick-and-dirty look at the MLS teams’ futures.

Top 10 Player Searches
  1. A. Eaton (MLB)
  2. M. Garza (MLB)
  3. J. Garcia (MLB)
  4. D. Wade (NBA)
  5. B. Harper (MLB)