By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – FIFA’s main corruption-buster has warned that match-fixing criminals may try to target World Cup matches this summer. But says Ralf Mutschke, football’s world governing body will do all it can to make sure the tournament remains clean.
FIFA’s security chief, a former Interpol director, told the German paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that he would not be surprised if criminal gangs tried to manipulate games in Brazil.
“We must clearly assume that organised crime will try and fix matches at the World Cup,” Mutschke said. “At this event, bets will be placed at a great rate and a large profit will be made.”
With match-fixing now a global phenomenon, with up to 50 leagues at high risk, FIFA aims to be on its guard in Brazil.
“We will have security officers in all 12 World Cup stadiums,” said Mutschke. “We will monitor all matches on the betting market, we will be in contact with all bookmakers, screen the social networks and will go through specialised forums with a fine tooth comb. We will also analyse individual incidents during games.”
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