Police fear gambling syndicates
Saturday 15th June, 2002
Japanese and Korean Police are working hand-in-hand to unravel the possibility that some betting syndicates in Asia have finally been able to penetrate the World Cup finals.
Last month, Asia Football Confederation Secretary-General, Peter Velappan, warned that the notorious beeting syndicates that populate Asia could try to rig some World Cup games, despite a tight web woven around that possibility.
“While it would be difficult for organised criminals to bribe players or referees, they would still try”, said Velappan, who has had to deal with the multi-billion dollar syndicates in his region for over a decade now.
“Our instruction to all teams is to remain vigilant at all times. Match-fixing is a spin-off of big-time illegal gamblers”, said Velappan.
Asia, the world’s largest continent is a hotbed for betting syndicates and illegal gambling on sports, especially football, is rampant.
Criminals have tried in the past to fix results even in the English Premiership and FA Cup matches to maximise returns, as betting on those games, as well as in the European Champions League, runs into millions of dollars every week, especially in southeast Asia.
Only last month, Hong Kong Police smashed three gambling syndicates and arrested 21 people for betting over the result of the English FA Cup Final, between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Police swooped on the illegal betters and confiscated some six million Hong Kong dollars (about $800,000).
“It takes two sides to commit bribery in a game. I’m sure the syndicates will fold their illegal activities if there are no takers”, said velappan.
During the last World Cup finals in France, some seven dozen persons were arrested and 54 million dollars seized by Police for illegal gambling in Hong Kong.
With the 17th World Cup finals halfway gone, Asian chiefs and Police in both co-host nations are still worried that the organised criminals could have their way, as the championship nestles in the crucial stages.
Japanese and South Korean Police are scrutinising their lists everyday and monitoring the activities of known ring leaders so they do not compromise players or referees in any way. Interpol is also involved.
The list comprises those known hardened gamblers and their abetters from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.
The World Cup finals reach the second round today with the top team in Group E facing the runners-up in Group B in Seogwipo, while the runners-up in Group F take on the winners of Group A in Niigata. Seogwipo is in South Korea and Niigata in Japan.
Saturday 15th June, 2002
Japanese and Korean Police are working hand-in-hand to unravel the possibility that some betting syndicates in Asia have finally been able to penetrate the World Cup finals.
Last month, Asia Football Confederation Secretary-General, Peter Velappan, warned that the notorious beeting syndicates that populate Asia could try to rig some World Cup games, despite a tight web woven around that possibility.
“While it would be difficult for organised criminals to bribe players or referees, they would still try”, said Velappan, who has had to deal with the multi-billion dollar syndicates in his region for over a decade now.
“Our instruction to all teams is to remain vigilant at all times. Match-fixing is a spin-off of big-time illegal gamblers”, said Velappan.
Asia, the world’s largest continent is a hotbed for betting syndicates and illegal gambling on sports, especially football, is rampant.
Criminals have tried in the past to fix results even in the English Premiership and FA Cup matches to maximise returns, as betting on those games, as well as in the European Champions League, runs into millions of dollars every week, especially in southeast Asia.
Only last month, Hong Kong Police smashed three gambling syndicates and arrested 21 people for betting over the result of the English FA Cup Final, between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Police swooped on the illegal betters and confiscated some six million Hong Kong dollars (about $800,000).
“It takes two sides to commit bribery in a game. I’m sure the syndicates will fold their illegal activities if there are no takers”, said velappan.
During the last World Cup finals in France, some seven dozen persons were arrested and 54 million dollars seized by Police for illegal gambling in Hong Kong.
With the 17th World Cup finals halfway gone, Asian chiefs and Police in both co-host nations are still worried that the organised criminals could have their way, as the championship nestles in the crucial stages.
Japanese and South Korean Police are scrutinising their lists everyday and monitoring the activities of known ring leaders so they do not compromise players or referees in any way. Interpol is also involved.
The list comprises those known hardened gamblers and their abetters from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.
The World Cup finals reach the second round today with the top team in Group E facing the runners-up in Group B in Seogwipo, while the runners-up in Group F take on the winners of Group A in Niigata. Seogwipo is in South Korea and Niigata in Japan.
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