DFB wants large fine, lifetime ban for Hoyzer

The German FA's committee of control recommended yesterday a 50,000-euro fine and a lifetime ban for Robert Hoyzer, the referee at the centre of the country's match-fixing scandal.

Hoyzer was arrested this month after admitting rigging matches to favour betting. He was handed a provisional suspension by the DFB on February 10.

The control committee presented its charges and demands for the most serious punishment available to the DFB's sports tribunal yesterday, the DFB said. No date has been set for the tribunal's hearing.

The DFB committee accuses Hoyzer of fixing or seeking to fix the results of one German Cup match and three second division games. He is also charged with having tried to persuade a referee's assistant to fix another second division match.

"Referee Hoyzer has grossly undermined his duty as a referee to act in a neutral manner with his wrong conduct. He has caused great damage to the reputation of referees," the indictment said.

Berlin prosecutors are investigating a total of 25 people suspected of having manipulated at least 10 matches in 2004.

Hoyzer was taken into custody this month after prosecutors said he may have been involved in match-fixing before 2004. They are investigating his involvement in eight alleged cases of fraud.

He faces a possible prison term if found guilty.

Three other men, all brothers, are also being held on suspicion of committing fraud as part of an organised gang.

German media have said the three Croatians were linked to a cafe in Berlin popular with figures in German football.