Global InformationMatch fixing in association football information
The issue of match fixing in association football has been described, in 2013, by Chris Eaton, the former Head of Security of FIFA (the sport's world governing body), as a "crisis",[1] while UEFA's president Michel Platini has said that if it continues, "football is dead".[2] Zhang Jilong, president of the Asian Football Confederation, has stated that it is a "pandemic".[3] The issue also affects a number of other sports across the world.[4]
In May 2011, world governing body FIFA announced an anti-match fixing plan,[5] and in September 2012 FIFA President Sepp Blatter warned that match-fixing endangered "the integrity of the game".[6] In September 2014, the Council of Europe also announced they would tackle the problem.[7]
A number of clubs in countries across the world have been subject to match fixing, including Australia,[8][9] China,[10] and Spain.[11][12] The South African national team has also been investigated.[13]
In the 18 months prior to February 2013, Europol investigated 680 matches in 30 countries.[14] In November 2013, 11 men were charged in Estonia with fixing 17 matches.[15]
The problem is often attributed to criminal gangs based in Asia,[16][17][18] who generate "hundreds of billions of euros per year".[19]
Players who have publicly rejected bribes have been praised, such as in a case in Belize.[20]
- ^ "Match-fixing: Ex-Fifa security chief wants global intelligence body". BBC. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Michel Platini says match-fixing is biggest threat to future of football". BBC. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Football officials urge corruption action at Malaysia meeting". BBC. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ Bill Wilson (23 November 2013). "World sport 'must tackle big business of match fixing'". BBC. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ "Fifa unveils anti-match fixing plan". BBC. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ Bill Wilson (10 October 2012). "Fifa determined to tackle international match-fixing". BBC. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ Mike Keegan (17 September 2014). "Match-fixing: Council of Europe set to introduce anti-corruption treaty". BBC. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "British players suspended by Fifa over match-fixing charges". BBC. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Fifa bans English footballers for life after match fixing in Australia". BBC. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- ^ "China footballers and officials banned for match-fixing". BBC. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Spanish game investigated over possible match-fixing". BBC. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "La Liga chief: Eight to 10 Spanish matches 'fixed each season'". BBC. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Fifa backs South Africa match-fixing enquiry". BBC. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ Declan Hill (5 February 2013). "Match-fixing: How gambling is destroying sport". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Estonia match-fixing: 11 charged on suspicion of fixing 17 games". BBC. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
- ^ Matt Slater (8 February 2013). "European police blame Asian gangsters for match-fixing". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ Jonah Fisher (5 March 2013). "Trailing Singapore's 'football match-fixing boss'". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Singapore police arrest 14 in match-fixing raids". BBC. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Match-fixing revenues comparable to global firms - Interpol". BBC. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- ^ "Concacaf praises Belize players who rejected match bribe". BBC. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.