Post by Carl LaFong on May 7, 2017 11:44:26 GMT
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4480776/Chinese-fixing-syndicate-real-new-threat-football.html
...
Athlone are under investigation by the Irish police, the Irish FA and European football's governing body UEFA over their 3-1 defeat by Longford Town last weekend.
A confidential UEFA report sent to Athlone on Friday says: 'There is clear and overwhelming betting evidence that the course or result of this match was unduly influenced with a view to gaining corrupt betting profits.'
Sources say gamblers with inside knowledge profited by around £500,000 from bets placed in the unregulated Asian markets on at least two goals being scored in the first half (Longford were winning 2-0 at half-time), and on four of more goals being scored in the game. Longford went 3-1 ahead in the 87th minute.
Sources say the stake in the Irish club bought by the Chinese firm was lower in value (around £425,000) than estimated betting profits from that one game alone. Athlone have received recent investment but officials have declined to say how much or where from. It is not known if the cash was paid directly from China or via intermediary organisations.
Athlone did not respond to calls or emails from the MoS but a statement said they were 'absolutely shocked' by fixing allegations.
Chinese firms have bought interests in 20 or so clubs in Europe in recent years, almost all of them with no hint of controversy. But governing bodies will now be on red alert over deals, not least for relatively large sums in the lower leagues. 'If an investment offer for a 'lesser' team seems too good to be true, it probably is,' says one investigator.
...
...
Athlone are under investigation by the Irish police, the Irish FA and European football's governing body UEFA over their 3-1 defeat by Longford Town last weekend.
A confidential UEFA report sent to Athlone on Friday says: 'There is clear and overwhelming betting evidence that the course or result of this match was unduly influenced with a view to gaining corrupt betting profits.'
Sources say gamblers with inside knowledge profited by around £500,000 from bets placed in the unregulated Asian markets on at least two goals being scored in the first half (Longford were winning 2-0 at half-time), and on four of more goals being scored in the game. Longford went 3-1 ahead in the 87th minute.
Sources say the stake in the Irish club bought by the Chinese firm was lower in value (around £425,000) than estimated betting profits from that one game alone. Athlone have received recent investment but officials have declined to say how much or where from. It is not known if the cash was paid directly from China or via intermediary organisations.
Athlone did not respond to calls or emails from the MoS but a statement said they were 'absolutely shocked' by fixing allegations.
Chinese firms have bought interests in 20 or so clubs in Europe in recent years, almost all of them with no hint of controversy. But governing bodies will now be on red alert over deals, not least for relatively large sums in the lower leagues. 'If an investment offer for a 'lesser' team seems too good to be true, it probably is,' says one investigator.
...