Serbs form police hit squads to probe fans over match-fixing accusations

Red Star vs OFK Belgrade

By Jaroslaw Adamowski
August 24 – Following an investigation launched by the Serbian Football Association (FSS), as a response to reports indicating that a match between local rivals Red Star Belgrade and OFK Belgrade was rigged, the Serbian Ministry of Interior has formed special police teams tasked with investigating managers, footballers and clubs’ supporters.

“Match-fixing will be discussed with supporters,” an official involved in the investigation told local daily Vecerne Novosti. “There are some indications that leaders of supporters’ group have been engaged in match-fixing. Some of them might not be involved, but they have information on this.”

The task forces consist of three high-ranking investigators each, and they are expected to determine whether the match which was played by Red Star and OFK in July, and ended with 6:2 despite Red Star being two goals behind at half-time, was rigged.

Meanwhile, accusations of match-fixing related to the match have pushed local politicians to put forward a number of measures designed to combat match-fixing, as done by Serbian MPs last month. The proposals include the privatisation of state-owned sides, tightening regulations, as well as suspending the Serbian league.

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