5 Premier League stars 'targeted by match-fixers outside training grounds' (original) (raw)

Moses Swaibu, who was part of a match-fixing scandal in 2013, has claimed that at least five Premier League players have been approached by fixers between 2015 and 2019

At least five Premier League players have been approached to fix matches in the past, a whistle-blower has claimed

Whistle-blower Moses Swaibu, a former Lincoln City defender, has made a shocking revelation, claiming that between 2015 and 2019, at least five Premier League players were approached by match-fixers.

Swaibu, who now collaborates with the FA and Premier League to educate young footballers about the dangers of match-fixing, disclosed that these players were often targeted "outside the training grounds" or at London casinos, although he refrained from naming any individuals in a bombshell interview with The Telegraph.

He pointed out that while it's challenging to identify players involved in fixing matches, it is possible to detect compromised games.

"If you want to be honest, just go and check the numbers, players from the FA," said Swaibu, referring to the FA's rule books on sanctions which could hint at when such events occurred.

The 35-year-old also recounted a personal experience where he was instructed to let in two goals during the first half of a match, with four other players supposedly in on the scheme. However, due to a "technical problem," the plan fell through, leading to consequences as the fixers had someone monitoring the match to ensure the plot was executed.

"I went with what they called a middleman back to the hotel and it was explained numerous amounts of times that these players shouldn't be getting paid," Swaibu recalled.

"When the money came in, the 100,000 was passed over to myself and I could kind of dictate and decide who's getting one and how it's gonna play out."

Swaibu revealed that among those who introduced him to match-fixing was ex-pro Delroy Facey. Alongside Swaibu and Facey, Michael Boateng, and fixers Krishna Saney Ganeshan and Chann Sankaran were found guilty of conspiracy to commit bribery in April 2015.

Moses Swaibu was jailed for conspiracy to commit bribery and shared information about match-fixing in the Premier League (

Image:

Getty Images)

Swaibu also highlighted the sinister side of match-fixing, where failure to comply with the fixers' demands would result in them sending bullets as a form of intimidation. Currently, there is a strict betting prohibition for anyone involved in the Premier League, English Football League, National League, the FA Women's Super League, and the FA Women's Championship.

Despite this, players have voiced their confusion over the boundaries of betting, especially when their sport is sponsored by betting companies.

"The players told me they gamble," Swaibu said. "They say, 'I gamble because we're sponsored by a gambling company, so why can't I do it?'".

The FA spelled out their position on the integrity of the sport to The Telegraph, stating: "The integrity of English football, across all levels of the game, is of paramount importance. Gambling on football by professional players is strictly prohibited, and each season we deliver bespoke education to all professional clubs and players with key information and advice on the risks of betting and match-fixing in football. We also encourage all football participants to report any potential breaches of our Rules and Regulations to us directly."