Criminal probe into pro soccer match fixing to end soon

Prosecutors in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, will soon end their probe into Korean pro soccer`s match-fixing scandal.

They said Sunday, “We will release our investigation results after probing two matches of the 2011 Rush and Cash Cup in which match fixing was confirmed and one match of last year’s K-League.”

Soccer pundits are also raising suspicion of match fixing in other sports such as volleyball, basketball and baseball, but prosecutors say their investigation will stick to soccer.

○ Gathering the remains

The focus of prosecutors is on the process in which a broker who played soccer in high school bet 100 million won (92,645 U.S. dollars) on a K-League game in September last year and won 200 million won (185,271 dollars). The suspicion is that the huge bet would not have been possible if not for match rigging.

Prosecutors are also trying to identify how a financier gathered money to give the broker as well as another broker. They will also probe people who allegedly blackmailed players.

Further investigations, if any, will seek to further confirm charges pending versus the players and brokers involved.

○ Searching for evidence

Assistant prosecutor Kwak Gyu-hong said, “We`ve received dozens of suspicious match-rigging cases in other sports. We`re closely monitoring (the videos of games) but it`s difficult to get proof since the match rigging is done in secret.”

Those involved in match fixing have the same purpose unless a conflict arises between the financier and broker, and so prosecutors will not disclose information.

It is also difficult to summon players for questioning based on mere suspicions. Prosecutors said they will investigate if there is evidence, apparently trying to calm criticism that they are reluctant to broaden their investigation.

○ System overhaul necessary

Prosecutors and soccer sources say the heads of city and provincial governments have yielded to public opinion and created many pro teams. As a result, the teams are suffering financially and causing players to feel the money pinch as well.

They say this must have made it tough for players not be tempted by brokers. Among the 16 pro teams of the K-league, six belong to city or provincial governments, including Daejeon Citizen and Gwangju FC, which are implicated in the scandal.

A source at Gyeongnam FC said, “There is negative public sentiment about soccer, and we must use this incident as a chance to root out corruption once and for all and implement a structural overhaul. If other match-fixing cases are reported going forward, Korea’s (pro) football will be unable to make a comeback.”

manman@donga.com yjongk@donga.com