Czech police detain dozens in widespread football match-fixing scandal
Czech police have detained dozens of individuals across the country as part of a major investigation into widespread football match-fixing and bribery.
State prosecutors confirmed that officers from the organised crime unit conducted extensive raids nationwide.
David Trunda, head of the Czech Football Association, revealed the organisation initiated the inquiry years ago after suspecting rigged matches.
Local media reports indicate the corruption encompasses the top four club tiers and potentially youth competitions.
World Cup preparations overshadowed
Trunda confirmed that 47 people are now facing a formal disciplinary investigation by the governing body.
“We will do everything to ensure that the betting mafia disappears from the Czech sports.”
The scandal has erupted just two days before the national team face the Republic of Ireland in Prague for a crucial World Cup play-off semi-final.
The victor of Thursday’s tie will host either Denmark or North Macedonia for a place at the upcoming tournament in North America.
The Central European nation has not qualified for international football’s showpiece event since 2006.
Parallel Turkish betting investigation
This development follows a similar ongoing investigation into alleged match-fixing and illegal wagering within Turkish football.
Last month, authorities in Turkey detained 32 individuals, including several club executives, across 10 provinces.
Suspects in that parallel investigation are accused of placing illicit bets on their own fixtures, with some wagering on opposing sides.
The Turkish Football Federation suspended over 1,000 players in November as the crisis rapidly deepened.
Among those sanctioned was national team defender Eren Elmali, who had featured regularly for Galatasaray in the Champions League earlier this season.
