Police authorities across several German states have confirmed that they have opened an investigation into 17 football matches on suspicion of match-fixing.
According to the news outlets of the Hamburg Morning Post (MOPO), the games of the 3. Liga, Regionalliga and the Oberliga, held under the auspices of the German Football Association, allegedly had a predetermined result.
Suspicion fell on matches in November 2022, the last game known to have been compromised allegedly took place just a few weeks ago.
In another, the Hamburger Abendblatt published an article last Friday containing a video in which a man, waiting for predictions, offers a betting platform illegal information for the first time on a Hamburg Oberliga game. In the recording, the man is approached by the manager of sports facilities and care, on behalf of which company the castle is located there. After the man answers for “Real Time Sportscast”, the manager tells him that he must stop what he is doing or his pass will be revoked, which the man does.
Back to the main investigation, the police of the states of Hesse and Saarland have already completed their cooperation with the public prosecutor and the investigation into the “suspicious appointment and behavior of goalkeepers and defenders”.
The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is also believed to be coordinating with its colleagues. According to German law, match-fixing in a professional or semi-professional league, such as the 3. Liga and the Regionalliga in the United Kingdom, is considered an offense under Section 265 of the Criminal Code.
Players and referees found guilty can be sentenced to up to three years in prison or a fine, depending on the severity of the violations.
The manipulation of amateur games in the Oberliga will also be investigated by the BKA as “sports betting fraud” under Section 265c of the Criminal Code, as can be seen from this, also up to three years in prison or punishment, depending on the severity of the violations.
The prosecution can also prove the charge under German Internet laws, since, according to the MOPO, the investigation led to insider information and trading of the result games on the so-called “dark web”. The algorithmic parties then provided the results to a legal online provider, making a profit.
Bets on amateur games are currently prohibited in Germany, but this ban does not apply to foreign operators.
“We do not yet have any reliable conclusions on this matter. However, we have already been contacted with responsible guarantees. Further explanations from the DFB regarding the investigations that have been carried out are not possible,” the German Football Association said.
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