Authorities in Europe have found evidence that more than 680 soccer matches may have been fixed by a Singaporean criminal organization, the Associate Press reports.
Rob Wainwright, head of the European Union police organization Europol, said earlier today that investigators have uncovered "match-fixing activity on a scale we have not seen before." Wainwright said that the 680 matches suspected of being fixed include World Cup and European Championship qualifiers and two Champions League matches.
The 19-month-long investigation involves 380 matches in Europe and 300 in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
Authorities say they have uncovered $10.9 million in betting profits and $2.7 million in bribes to players and officials, adding that several arrests and prosecutions have already been made. The Singapore-based criminal group who is believed to be responsible is suspected of spending $136,000 per game to bribe officials and players.
Authorities refused to disclose the names of the players involved in the investigation or which matches were fixed saying that the matter is still under investigation. Europol officials say they knew match fixes took place and added that these latest findings have fully uncovered that a criminal organization was widely involved.
"This is the first time we have established substantial evidence that organized crime is now operating in the world of football," Wainwright said.
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