Expect more arrests in match-fixing case: Europol

SINGAPORE — The European Police Agency (Europol) confirmed yesterday that the 14 Singaporeans arrested on suspicion of match-fixing were linked to its investigation of a Singapore-based global syndicate that was made public in February. It added that more arrests — likely to take place in Europe — could be on the way as the investigation continues into a network “seen as a major player in football match-fixing worldwide”.

Replying to queries from TODAY, Mr Soren Pedersen, Europol Chief of Media and Public Relations, said since his organisation held the February press conference on the syndicate, which was allegedly behind a global match-fixing ring involving 425 players and officials from 15 countries, Europol and European investigators have been working with Interpol and the Singapore authorities on the case.

“As a result of this, arrests have been made,” he said.

Mr Pedersen added: “The arrests have targeted a network seen as a major player in football match-fixing worldwide, and we welcome the cooperation and action taken by the Singaporean authorities.”

The syndicate’s profits are said to be around €8 million (S$13 million), with some €2 million in bribes paid out.

On Wednesday, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) announced in a press release that they had arrested the Singaporeans — 12 men and two women — on Tuesday night after a 12-hour operation.

They added that those who were nabbed included a suspected ringleader and others who are the subject of similar investigations overseas.

No names of the arrested were released but the Associated Press (AP) news wire said they were told by “a high-level police official” that those arrested included Tan Seet Eng, widely known as Dan Tan. Tan is wanted by the authorities in Italy after Italian prosecutors investigating dozens of league and cup games played between 2008 and late 2011 — which were suspected to have been fixed — had followed a trail back to him in Singapore.

They alleged that Tan is the boss of a syndicate that allegedly made millions betting on rigged games by bribing players, referees and club officials.

The Italian authorities had sent an international request several months ago to Singapore for Tan’s arrest.

According to the high-level police official who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity, Tan’s arrest was the result of the Singapore authorities’ investigations and not in response to any requests from foreign law enforcement bodies.

Mr Chris Eaton, Director of Sport Integrity at the International Centre for Sport Security, described Tan’s arrest, if true, as “very significant”, despite the fact that it “may have taken some time”. “It seems to me that for a long time, Singapore was in denial about this, but even if late, this is a positive development,” said Mr Eaton, a former FIFA security officer.

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) told TODAY that it plans to write to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to ask for more details about the arrests because it is concerned that Malaysian Super League (MSL) and Malaysia Cup matches could be linked to the syndicate.

Mr Osman Bakar, a member of the FAM’s integrity committee, which was set up last year to monitor match-fixing activities, said: “We need to know if those arrested have spread their wings across the Causeway because the LionsXII are playing in the MSL and the reputation of Malaysian football is at stake.

“Already, I believe a fair number of Malaysian league matches have been played under a cloud of suspicion. We need more information and unless we get it, fighting the match-fixing menace is an uphill battle.”

He added: “I believe match-fixing syndicates operate all over the world, including in Singapore, which has a reputation of being a base for their operations.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY DAN GUEN CHIN