MASS ARRESTS IN TURKEY IN FOOTBALL MATCH-FIXING PROBE

Tert.am
09:40 ~U 25.03.10

Turkish police have arrested 46 people in connection with a Europe-wide
football match-fixing scandal which first broke in Germany four months
ago, reports BBC News.

The arrests were made in 26 towns and cities across the country. Among
those detained are a number of well-known players and coaches.

German investigators believe some 200 matches in 11 countries were
fixed by players and referees. They also believe gamblers have made
at least 10 million euros on this.

These are the first suspects to be taken into custody in Turkey,
where football has a passionate following. Among those detained are
a number of well-known players and coaches, including Arif Erdem,
one of Turkey’s most renowned international stars until his retirement
five years ago. He has since been the assistant coach for the Turkish
premier league club Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor.

It is unclear what charges the suspects might face, but they are
being investigated by the smuggling and organized-crime department
of the police.

Allegations of match-fixing have swirled around Turkish football for
years, but as there is no law against it and arrests are rare.

However, the investigation in Germany of what is thought to be Europe’s
biggest ever match-fixing racket has pushed Turkish prosecutors to
go after those they believe have been rigging league games here.

Some 30 matches are believed to have been fixed in Turkey.