Cyprus authorities ask for British help to solve case

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Cypriot flagCypriot authorities are asking a London-based firm to assist them in their inquiries into alleged match fixing that took place on a number of games. Cyprus Mail reports that the island’s Police will ask UK judicial authorities if they are able to visit the UK betting firm in order to obtain information on accounts that may have been used to fix games in the country’s cup competition.

“We are also hoping to obtain information that will help us in our inquiries, including IP Addresses,” Police spokesperson Michalis Katsounos said.

Suspicions arose after a spike in betting on the cup game between Olympiacos Nicosia’s game with Doxa on December 7. OIympiacos went in at the break two goals down with punters continuing to bet heavily on the side to eventually win the match. Cyprus Mail reported that turnover at one betting company “exceeded $660,000” on Nicosia based side to win – which they eventually did by three goals to two.

The Cyprus Football Association has questioned a Brazilian playing for Olympiacos over the scandal after he pulled out of the game at the last minute and it’s not the only match that may have been fixed. Another cup-tie, this time between Ayia Napa and Nea Salamina, saw €113,000 wagered before the game with one betting company on the away side winning. As with the previous tie, one team went two goals to the good (Ayia Napa) before the away side came back to win the game 4-2.

There’s no suggestion that the British company involved has done anything wrong and could be similar to Police “visits” made to another company earlier on this year in connection with fixing that went on in Germany. On the same day as Cypriot police announcing their intentions, Italy had seen its latest match fixing investigation with professional footballer Cristiano Doni being locked up in connection with Police enquiries.

Match fixing receives a lot of attention when it comes to corruption in sport whilst at the same time being the least prevalent of any corruption that takes place.