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Der Spiegel report highlights role of illegal gambling rings in match-fixing

Dec 14, 2009 - Germany

An investigative report published in German weekly Der Spiegel sheds light on the reality behind the match fixing-scandals which have emerged in recent weeks across Europe. The article looks at how illegal gambling networks, whose influence spreads across the globe, damage the reputation of well-established legal operators by undermining their legality and the image of the sports betting industry.

A gambling ring led by Ante Sapina has come under investigation for alleged match-fixing in a series of sporting matches, including attempts to manipulate a World Cup qualifying match between Turkey and Bosnia Herzegovina.

According to investigators, "based on the results of telecommunications surveillance, there is evidence that cash flows [resulting from the ring's alleged match-fixing] could be in the millions". Until January 2009, investigators tracked balances amounting to €3.5 million originating from Mr Sapina's accounts in Asia alone.

The report also highlights the unconventional methods used to ensure the results required by the gambling rings in sporting competitions, such as bribing a cook to stir drugs into the lunch of a football team designed to reduce their performance.

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