English Champions League Tie ‘fixed’

Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has revealed that a Champions League tie played in England is one of 680 matches being investigated as part of an inquiry into match-fixing and corruption in 30 countries around the world.

The organisation has not revealed which match in England they are investigating however it did state that it took part in the past three or four years and that it has uncovered a crime syndicate in Asia that it believes is co-ordinating the operation.

The Inquiry is investigating 425 match officials, players, clubs officials and criminals and Europol revealed that other potentially fixed matches may have taken place during qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championships as well as ‘several top football matches in European leagues’ according to a statement from the organisation.

Director of Europol, Rob Wainwright commented: ‘This is the work of a suspected organised crime syndicate based in Asia and operated with criminal networks around Europe. It is clear to us this is the biggest-ever investigation into suspected match-fixing in Europe. It has yielded major results which we think have uncovered a big problem for the integrity of football in Europe. We have uncovered an extensive criminal network.’

Wainwright added: ‘The focus has been on other countries, not the United Kingdom. However we were surprised by the scale generally of the criminal enterprise and just how widespread it was. It would be naive and complacent of those in the UK to think such a criminal conspiracy does not involve the English game and all the football in Europe.’