By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – A former boss of Interpol now working for FIFA says struggling players from poorer nations are being recruited to rig results of matches in exchange for being promised lucrative contracts in Europe and South America.
Chris Eaton, FIFA’s head of security who is at the forefront of the global effort to clamp down on match-fixing, says such behaviour is nothing more than “trafficking” by organised gangs of criminals.
“There are examples of players who have been abandoned because they did not perform,” said Eaton.
“It is only anecdotal evidence at this stage but it is clear.
“They [match-fixers] often target people from humble origins.
“They will go to junior competitions and recruit families of players basically through the attraction of cash, ‘I can get you a contract, or a game in Europe or in South America’.
“They will invest in the development of players and officials and then they expect payment – they want their cut.”
Eaton was speaking following the conclusion of a high-profile trial in Finland this week which saw Wilson Raj Perumal, a Singaporean who operated for several months from a flat near Wembley Stadium, sentenced to two years in prison for masterminding match-fixing with the help of nine former football players from the Rovaniemi football club RoPS.
The players – seven Zambians and two Georgians – were convicted of suspended sentences ranging from six months to one year and eight months.
“These people are criminals, they are organised,” said Eaton.
“They are well funded and have a long-term plan.
“They are a real and present danger to the sanctity and ethics of sport.
“I would not understate its seriousness.”
Match-fixing recently reared its ugly head in Turkey with the revelation that 19 matches in the top two leagues were manipulated last year.
FIFA are giving Interpol $20 million (£12 million/€14 million) in funding assistance and Eaton, who claims match-fixing is worth $90 billion (£55 billion/€63 billion) a year, said he was determined to win the fight.
Significantly, FIFA’s Congress in Zurich last month approved measures to place friendlies under the governing body’s control in terms of choosing match officials rather than that of the hosting association.
“If I have information that a game is fixed I will try to stop it,” Eaton said.
“We are considering all our options.
“FIFA is redesigning its regulatory arrangements for international friendlies and competition matches, particularly in qualifiers.
“These are all capable of being abused by match-fixers.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734840181labto1734840181ofdlr1734840181owedi1734840181sni@w1734840181ahsra1734840181w.wer1734840181dna1734840181