Dutch FA creates anti-match-fixing hotline

Dutch FA creates hotline to tackle match-fixing

Jul 13, 2012 6:15:00 PM

The KNVB and the country's sports minister have vowed to take action against the problem as an investigation into corruption in football has been launched

The Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) has announced that it has created a hotline for citizens to report match-fixing activities in the country.

The move comes after an investigation by Voetbal International revealed that games in the Netherlands are being manipulated by international gambling syndicates.

Sports minister Edith Schippers had recently written a letter to the MPs asking for the creation of a dedicated hotline as the country's authorities are eager to prevent a scandal similar to the one that rocked Italian football just before Euro 2012.

Lazio skipper Stefano Mauri and former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto were among the 20 people arrested in May for their suspected role in an illegal international betting ring.

"Voetbal International gave us the lead," Schippers told reporters. "It was clear that this is a dark aspect of the sports business and we want to find out if match-fixing happens in Holland."

Labour MPs have claimed that the Netherlands is the only country in Europe without anti-match fixing measures, a situation that Schippers is determined to change.

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