Match Fixing

[dave nz]

Three suspended in Belgian fix probe
From Darren Ennis in Antwerp
February 17, 2006

BELGIAN football club Lierse has suspended two players and a coach after its lawyers found evidence of wrong-doing by the trio during a match-fixing investigation.

Defender Laurent Fassotte, goalkeeper Cliff Mardulier and goalkeeping coach Patrick Deman had been suspended by the club until further notice, Lierse general manager Danny Araf said.

"Our lawyers have told us we can take this course of action as they say they have evidence of wrong-doing on the part of the three," Araf said.

"They have questioned the three and also met with the public prosecutor.

A spokesman for the Belgium's public prosecutor meanwhile said the trio had also had their homes searched by police as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing.

"I can confirm that police raided the houses of the people in question and they were taken for questioning," the spokesman said.

"They have since been released pending further investigation."

The spokesman for the prosecutor also confirmed that two Anderlecht players, Marius Mitu and Laurent Delorge, were also questioned in relation to the case today.

Both players were at Lierse last season.

"We have no comment to make on the matter, other than to hope it is resolved as soon as possible," Anderlecht said in a statement on its website.

Belgian police opened an investigation into alleged match-fixing in November after reports of unusually heavy betting on Belgian matches.

Lierse was one of the clubs under investigation after losing 4-0 to Germinal Beerschot on November 5, the spokesman for the prosecutor said.

The Belgian FA announced last week that it was launching its own investigation after a program aired by national broadcaster VRT on Sunday made allegations of match-fixing in seven first-division matches this season.

The program alleged 14 players and coaches from several teams were linked to a Shanghai-based gambling ring.

All the clubs named deny any wrongdoing.

Jean-Marie Philips, chairman of the Belgian Profession League, said last week that any club found guilty of any involvement faced the prospect of expulsion from the professional game.

The first investigation into possible match-fixing came after internet betting exchange Betfair logged heavy betting patterns for La Louviere's 3-1 win over St Truiden on October 29.

Bets totalling 400,000 euro ($645,600) were staked, about 20 times above average.

La Louviere deny any involvement.

St Truiden, who also deny any involvement, have since had players sign a declaration that they neither bet on any of their games nor give out team information.

[dave nz]

I read a story like this once a week!

Oh but of course it doesn't happen much in America

[LAyZbOi]

Dave i love this article bro!!!! Shanghai based??? Oh yah now i know why i get these calls from my cuz telling me its fixed and which ones to bet...haha!!! All good!!