Nov 20, 2009, 15:51 GMT
Bochum, Germany - At least 200 matches are being investigated by German prosecutors in a match-fixing probe covering nine European leagues, the prosecutors' office in Bochum said Friday.
Fifteen people have been arrested in Germany and two in Switzerland as part of a probe involving police from several European countries which began at the beginning of the year.
An internationally-operating gang is thought to have influenced or tried to influence players, coaches, referees and club officials to rig the outcome of the matches.
The gang members earned millions of euros by placing bets at Asian and European bookmakers on the matches, police said.
UEFA expert Peter Limacher said it was the biggest match-fixing scandal in football history and said the European football federation was 'deeply dismayed at the extent of the manipulation.'
Police and prosecutors told a news conference they believed the leaders of the gang had been arrested, but more than 200 people were suspected of being involved, with the number expected to rise.
Searches have been carried out at some 50 properties in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Britain.
The investigation covers matches played in the top divisions in Austria (11 first and second division), Hungary (13), Bosnia-Herzegovina (8), Slovenia (7), Croatia (16) and Turkey (29 from first division down) well as the second divisions in Germany (4), Switzerland (22 and 6 friendlies) and Belgium (17).
Prosecutors suspect at least three matches in the Champions League, 12 in the Europa League and one under-21 European Championships qualifying match may also have been manipulated.
UEFA said the matches were in qualifying rounds and on a list of 40 suspected games revealed in September.
In Germany, three games in the third division, 18 in the regional leagues (fourth division), five in the fifth-tier Oberliga and two involving under-19 teams are also under suspicion.
The news has rocked German football four years after a match-rigging scandal involving matches in the German Cup, second and third divisions which led to a jail sentence for referee Robert Hoyzer.
Among those arrested was Ante Sapina, who was sentenced to two years and 11 months in jail for his part in the Hoyzer scandal, his lawyer said.
Sapina, 33, who was described as the mastermind in the Hoyzer match-rigging affair which also involved his two brothers, was arrested in Berlin Thursday.
Friedhelm Althans of Bochum police said police had gathered extensive evidence and seized around 1 million euros in their investigations.
He put the volume of the fraud at 10 million euros (14.8 million dollars) but said this was 'the tip of the iceberg.'
A report to appear in the Neuen Osnabruecker Zeitung Friday says second-division VfL Osnabrueck may be involved in the scandal. A 34-year-old man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of match-rigging in connection with two games last season, the report said.
The home of an Osnabrueck player who has since left the club was among properties searched by police in their investigations, the report said.
According to the report, the arrested man placed successful bets with Asian bookmaker sbobet on the scores of both matches which Osnabrueck lost.
UEFA said the case proved it was possible for a state investigative authority to work closely together with a sports governing body in investigating corruption or match-fixing.
'We will continue our battle against any form of corruption in European football with a mission of zero tolerance,' UEFA 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.'
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