FIFA launches anti match-fixing program
10.05.11 12:21
FIFA has announced a 20 million dollar plan to crack down on match fixing and illegal betting working alongside Interpol. The money will be go on a 10-year anti-corruption program and will educate players, referees and officials.
FIFA president Josepp Blatter, who is up for re-election, said it was a response to match-fixing in Italy and the activities of Asian betting syndicates.
`Intensive cooperation with Interpol will be useful for football. For the next ten years Interpol together with FIFA and UEFA The will do its best tackle corruption in it. The decision was motivated by the illegal activities revealed in Europe and Asia,` Blatter said.
Within the cooperation between the footballs managing body and the Interpol a special investigation organization will be formed, which will be in charge of controlling domestic championships. The program also includes trainings aiming to protect players, fans and football in general from match fixing.
`Football is the most popular game in sports; fans are attending the games and they deserve to watch games free of machinations and intrigues. Interpol will do its best to clear this game from dirt. We have signed a 10 year-long memorandum. We believe our work will be effective in this period,` Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble said.
The reason of FIFA and Interpol cooperation is numerous fixed matches revealed by the football managing body recently. Over 300 matches in Germany and about 50 matches in Croatia and Finland have been revealed by FIFA. Two friendly matches - Bolivia vs. Latvia and Bulgaria vs. Estonia have been also in the scope of FIFA`s suspicions. The facts of match fixing revealed by Georgian police in national championship were also added to the list.
FIFA and Interpol say the measures will be very strict against fixers.
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