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German and UEFA authorities announced the arrests last year. Martin Meissner/AP/Press Association Images
Soccer

European soccer match-fixing trial begins

A trial begins in Germany involving four men alleged to have rigged 270 games – including Champions league matches.

FOUR MEN ACCUSED of taking part in a conspiracy to bribe referees and soccer players in 32 matches across seven countries have gone in trial in Germany.

The men were part of the match-fixing ring and are said by prosecutors to have made as much €1.5 million betting on matches. If found guilty they could face up to ten years in prison according to the BBC.

This is likely to be the first of several trials. Police say they have 250 suspects in what is said to be the biggest fraud scandal in European soccer history.

German prosecutors and police arrested 17 people in November of last year in the scandal that hit leagues in nine countries, including Germany, Turkey and Switzerland.

Some 270 matches in 15 different countries across Europe and Asia are suspected of being fixed. Most are at a low level of club football although authorities say three UEFA Champions League ties and 12 Europa League fixtures are also involved, reports CNN.

They also carried a statement from UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, who said:

UEFA will be demanding the harshest of sanctions before the competent courts for any individuals, clubs or officials who are implicated in this malpractice, be it under state or sports jurisdiction.

The four men on trial were identified only as G, from Lohne; A, from Moenchengladbach; S, from Schweinfurt; and R from Lippstadt, all in Germany.

Defense lawyers argued that the tribunal in Bochum doesn’t have jurisdiction in the case and that the judges are biased. according to a court spokesman.