The Grey Market of Match-Fixing in European Football

Its about the grey market – il sistema - of points buying or match-fixing. This is the unspoken of secret that lurks at the heart of many European football leagues. If you have seen the announcement by the Spanish authorities of their request for a ban and jail some 41 of their top footballers, you may be scratching your head as to the driving mechanism of this alleged match-fixing.  The scandal revolves around a match in late-May 2011 between two...

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Mafia Threats and the To Do List for European Football

He is one of the most powerful men in world football. Yet another goal in the Eldnese 12-0 loss to Barcelona B We met at the offices of a very prominent European Football Association.  He was there with a colleague. I was there to speak to them about match-fixing.  The officials were interested, purportedly, in better protecting their sport.   However, when his colleague, briefly, left the room.    The official leaned forward and said deliberately, “Listen, if you fuck us over I have...

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