• Match-fixing threat

FIFA team up with Interpol to fight match-fixing

ESPN staff
May 9, 2011
Sepp Blatter is determined to fight match-fixing © Getty Images
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FIFA has pledged to donate £17.5 million to Interpol in a bid to eradicate match-fixing from the game.

The governing body's president Sepp Blatter feels it is imperative the game's authorities combine with police to stop the threat.

"It is crucial for us to go together with political authorities, with police authorities to fight those who want to destroy our game," Blatter said. "I'm a sad president because, after 36 years in FIFA, I thought we would be at the end of a wonderful development of the game."

Interpol secretary general Ron Noble said: "I'm not surprised by the efforts of trans-national crime. It's a high profit with a low risk of getting caught and with online bets, there is the opportunity to make huge amounts.

"It's a perfect mixture of elements for transnational crime.

"Asia is a hotbed of betting and match-fixing and Singapore is among the least corrupt countries on the planet so there may be no better place than to set up this initiative in Singapore."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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