Security Service detains 8 current and 3 ex- footballers for match-fixing

The Sate Security Service of Georgia (SSG) has detained current and 3 ex footballers for match-fixing.

The SSG has released a statement, saying that members of an organized crime group contacted the footballers from various football clubs and offered them bribes in return of fixing results.

The Sate Security Service estimates that the members of the organized criminal group and the footballers earned GEL 93 500 through the operation.

“The employees of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service have detained former footballers : Vakhtang J., Lasha Ch. and Nika D., as well as the footballer of FC “Chiatura”, Irakli Kh., footballers of FC “Lanchkuti’s Guria” Robert I. and Irakli B., footballers of FC “VIT Georgia” Joni Sh., Giorgi G., Nikoloz M., Paata Gh. Amd Nodar K.

An investigation has established, that the members of the organized group contacted the footballers of football clubs and in return of certain amount of money arranged to lose with the rival team through pre-agreed score with so called “handicap”- for two or more goals.

On April 3, 2019, the footballers of FC “Lanchkhuti’s Guria” bribed by the organized group, participating in the 2nd league of Georgian National Championship on the basis of preliminary agreement, lost with two goals difference the second half of the match between the football club “Tbilisi’s Merani” and “Lanchkhuti’s Guria”. Similarly, on May 19, 2019, the bribed footballers of FC “Wit Georgia” participating in Georgian National Championship highest league, on the basis of preliminary agreement, lost with two goals difference with the FC “Batumi’s Dinamo”. The members of the organized criminal group and the footballers received especially high sums of money, in total GEL 93 500, as a result of previously fixed-scores," the statement reads.

According to the Sate Security Service of Georgia, the investigation is underway under Paragraphs III and IV of the Criminal Code of Georgia, involving the bribing a participant or organization in a professional sports or commercial entertaining competition, committed by an organized group.

The detainees face from 4 to 6 years of imprisonment.

The investigation is being carried out by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service.

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