Four Greek clubs involved in fresh match-fixing claims

[Danny Jarman]

ATHENS, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Four of last season's Greek Super League clubs are suspected of being involved in a fresh outbreak of match-fixing following UEFA investigations, the Greek government said on Friday.

In a statement the Greek General Secretariat for Sports said European soccer's governing body (UEFA) had forwarded a list of suspect matches.
The file, sent to the General Secretary for Sports Panos Bitsaxis, lists 15 matches and, as well as the four top division clubs, also refers to eight from the Second Division and one from the third. One Greek Cup match is also under suspicion.

"UEFA regularly monitors every match played throughout Europe and we regularly notify member assoiations of matches that we suspect could be subject to match-fixing," a UEFA spokesman said. "This is what we have done this week in sending a file to the Greek authorities."

The Greek statement said a criminal investigation had been ordered and a file forwarded to the Athens prosecutor.

"The documents refer to four teams, which during the 2009-2010 season competed in the Super League, eight teams competing in the Second Division and one team which competed in the third division," it said.
A similar investigation is already underway based on a previous file sent by UEFA, including 27 suspicious matches from the 2008-09 season.

The controversy is the latest to beset Greek soccer following match-fixing scandals in 2004, 2006 and 2009.

http://football.uk.reuters.com/teams/t30...6AB1OG.php

I guess it's one way of getting money back for their economy. :dontknow:

[Danny Jarman]

The Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) has opened the bank accounts of 20 club presidents suspected to be involved in the case of fixed matches, and forwarded the data to the prosecutor conducting the investigation.

There is also a list of 960 people who are thought to have earned money from betting on Greek games in Asian bookmakers.

The investigation will expand to soccer players and agents, thought to have participated in match-fixing from February 2009 to February 2010, as well as fan clubs.

Reports suggest that authorities have identified one football player who bet seven times on the same match, placing 6,000 euros each time.

http://www.sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=4730

Greeks love a bet...