Brit football betting syndicate busted

Officers from the UK National Crime Agency have made six arrests, three of them football players, over the past two days in the process of busting a football betting syndicate. The police have thus far not released the names of those involved.

UK media widely reporting on the arrests claim that the operation took place after police received information concerning an alleged Asian betting syndicate attempting to target games across Britain.

One of the arrested men is believed to be an internationally known fixer who had just arrived in the UK from Asia

The Telegraph newspaper claimed that it had initiated the police action after conducting a filmed sting operation in Manchester on a visiting Singapore fixer.

The newspaper said that its undercover reporters discussed with the fixer the possibility of influencing the scores and outcomes of lower-league English games for as little as GBP 50,000.

A spokesman for the NCA said: “The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association. This is an active investigation and we are unable to provide further detail at this time.”

None of the games are believed to involve teams playing in the two most senior leagues, the Premier League or the Championship.

A Football Association spokesman said: “The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to an NCA investigation.

“We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time due to ongoing investigations.”

Earlier this month UK Culture Minister Helen Grant said there are no plans to bring in match-fixing laws despite pressure from Europe.