INTERPOL Integrity in Sport Bi-Weekly Bulletin - 17-31 October 2016

In this edition of the bi-weekly bulletin, we focus on investigations and sentences from across the world. In addition, Malta is stepping up their legislation on match-fixing to propose harsher penalties and include tougher sanctions. Betting related activity was suspected in India after an individual was seen providing updates on his mobile after each point. This is simply further indication of how gambling has increased over the recent years due to the ease of internet access and the convenience of live betting.

With the Football World Cup still two years away, some early qualifying matches are already riddled with suspicions of match-fixing. In a match between Lithuania and Malta, suggestions of match-fixing came to light after suspicious betting patterns were noticed. Match-fixers often take advantage of these early matches to approach players as these qualifying matches are not broadcasted as much as the actual FIFA World Cup event. As such, the risk of detection would be low.

The Integrity in Sports Unit is still involved in many events around the world in the upcoming month to raise awareness on the severity of match-fixing, among other crimes in sports.

INVESTIGATIONS

Uganda

FUFA president Moses Magogo has ordered the federation’s disciplinary and ethic committees to investigations allegations of match-fixing in the Uganda Premier League. While reacting at the FUFA Annual General Assembly at Nimrod Hotel in Luweero, Jinja district football delegate Faisal Muhammad said that he would give the committees evidence of the vice in Ugandan football. Muhammad was reacting to Magogo’s activity report in line with various football competitions in the country when he said that players, referees and match assessors were involved in the practice. “I had heard of the practice before but during our match with Onduparaka in Arua, I saw the referee adding over 10minutes for unclear reasons. I now have evidence to why I say people bet in the Premier League” Mohammad told New Vision. “I implore the ethics and disciplinary committees to take up this case and establish the truth. Whoever is got in the wrong side will have to be punished. It has been my management style that whoever is found wrong is punished effectively”. FUFA recently suspended coach Sam Ssimbwa for eight months for comments after comments he made about giving money to officials to fix matches. The AGM in Luweero also passed the 2015 FUFA budget and approved a proposal of sh14.2m for 2017. National teams will take the biggest budget of sh5.3bn to train competent staff and compete in matches followed by administration (sh2.1bn) and infrastructure (sh1.4bn) among others. Asked whether FUFA had cleared allowances and bonuses of Uganda Cranes players, Magogo emphasised that he would not discuss it because the players did not want the issue to go public.

Source: Swalley Kenyi, "FUFA to investigate match fixing claims", 27 October 2016, New Vision https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1438814/fufa-investigate-match-fixing-claims

United Kingdom

SCOTLAND'S World Cup qualifying group could be flung into chaos after allegations of match fixing in one of the recent games. Lithuania's 2-0 win over Malta on October 13 is reportedly being investigated by FIFA following suspicious betting patterns according to The Sun. Malta’s goalkeeper Andrew Hogg has claimed a FIFA official stormed their dressing ahead of kick-off to warn of a potential fix after suspicious betting patterns were noticed. An enquiry is now underway with results potentially set to be voided and games replayed. The Hibernians shot stopper - who has 40 international caps and played in Scotland’s 5-1 qualifying win - insists he was terrified following the bizarre situation he found himself ahead of the match and said: “It was strange and felt very uncomfortable — as if we were being accused of cheating. “I knew I’d done absolutely nothing wrong and had no idea what they were talking about. “But I was left thinking, "If I f*** up now I might end up in the police station." “In the event, there was nothing I could do about the goals. I made three or four good saves which show I was doing my best. I have absolutely nothing to hide. “But this could really mess up the group because no one knows what might happen next. It’s a bulls**t situation.”

Source: "FIFA 'launch match fixing investigation' over game in Scotland's World Cup qualifying group", 30 October 2016, Daily Record https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fifa-launch-match-fixing-investigation-9156553

SENTENCES/SANCTIONS

Malta

Former AFM soldier Ronnie MacKay and another man, Chris Brincat have been handed jail and suspended sentences and fines for attempting to bribe players to fix matches. MacKay, who was dismissed from his duties in the AFM in 2014 and is currently undergoing separate judicial proceedings over other match fixing allegations, was also found guilty of committing an offence that he was duty bound to prevent and breaching a conditional discharge he received in 2010. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, presiding the Court of Magistrates as a court of criminal judicature, had heard how the MFA’s Integrity Officer Frans Tabone had received a phone call from the president of Naxxar Lions FC in September 2012, informing him that one of the club’s players, Sunday Eboh, had been approached and offered a bribe. Eboh, determined to blow the lid off the actions of Brincat and Mackay, who was still listed as a football player by the MFA despite no longer being active in the sport, had insisted on going to police. Prosecuting Inspector Melvyn Camilleri testified to being informed of a Naxxar player being approached and offered money to play badly in the club’s upcoming game against Gzira, by Tabone and Eboh. Eboh had told the officer he was called up by teammate Jermain Brincat and told to meet him in Guardamangia. Upon arriving at the meeting point, he found Chris Brincat instead of Jermain. Brincat told Eboh that “another person was on his way and would explain things in detail.”

Source: Matthew Agius,"Former soldier jailed for match-fixing, accomplice gets suspended sentence", 18 October 2016, Malta Today,
https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/court_and_police/70743/afm_soldier_jailed_for_matchfixing_accomplice_suspended_sentence

Mexico

Mexican Daniel Garza has been banned for six months and fined $5,000 (£4,060) after being found guilty of match-fixing. The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) found Garza had "attempted to influence the outcome" of a match at the ITF USA Futures 11 tournament in Calabasas, California last March. Garza did not play in the tournament. "The suspension applies with immediate effect and means that he is excluded from competing in, or attending, any tournament or event organised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of the sport," a TIU statement read. The TIU conducted an investigation into the allegation before independent anti-corruption hearing officer Richard H McLaren heard the case on September 12 in Miami. Garza, 31, was found guilty of breaching Section D.1.d of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, which states "no covered person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any event." Garza's singles ranking is 1,065 in the world, with a career-high mark of 294 in 2012.

Source: "Mexican Daniel Garza banned for six months and fined for match-fixing", 18 October 2016, Sky Sports, https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/10622768/mexican-daniel-garza-banned-for-six-months-and-fined-for-match-fixing

Monday, 31 October 2016