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ShareBochum: A match-fixing ring with more than 200 suspected members fixed or tried to fix around 200 matches across Europe, including three in the Champions League, in what UEFA called the biggest betting scandal in Europe.
The investigation, which unearthed what UEFA representative Peter Limacher called Europe's biggest ever football betting scandal, included only matches played in 2009. Many players, referees, coaches and administrators are believed to be involved in the scandal.
"We at UEFA are stunned by the magnitude of this," Limacher said. "This is undoubtedly the biggest match-fixing scandal that European football has ever seen. Now we must do everything to make sure those referees, players and officials are taken to justice." Cops in Germany, Britain, Austria and Switzerland staged raids, arresting 15 people in Germany and two in Switzerland.
Officers also seized one million euros ($1.49 million) in cash or goods as part of an investigation into the suspected manipulation of games across nine European leagues.
Some 50 properties were searched in the four countries. Bochum police said 200 people were suspected of being part of the ring that tried to rig about 200 matches. In an operation launched months ago, some 300 German police officers assisted by more forces in the other countries cracked down on the ring on Thursday.
