Sunday, October 19, 2008

Three charged in Polish football corruption case

Polish police have arrested three people in connection with an ongoing football corruption investigation.

According to Edward Zalewski of the Wroclaw District Attorney’s office, the Central Corruption Bureau, on the recommendation of his office, arrested two active playesrs and one coach. Zalewski did not want to comment further as to the identity of the arrested or what region of Poland they are from.

Two club officials and a coach were charged with handing out bribes worth more than 100,000 zlotys (US$40,000) between 2003 and 2006, the prosecutor's office in the western Polish city of Wroclaw said.

The office declined to provide further details of Wednesday's arrests.

Wroclaw prosecutors launched an investigation in 2005 into corruption in Polish football.

Today’s arrests follow accusations by the Polish Sports Ministry that the PZPN is not doing enough to eliminate corruption. The Ministry suspended the management board of the PZPN, which caused backlash from UEFA and FIFA.

So far they have charged 153 people — including members of the Polish Soccer Federation, coaches, referees, players and club officials — with fixing matches in the top domestic leagues.
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