Seven arrested in Hungary

Seven players and referees have been arrested in Budapest as part of a probe into match-fixing in six international games, Hungarian authorities announced yesterday.

“Seven people, including three players, current and retired, and four active referees were arrested for their roles in cases of match-fixing in international games,” Budapest prosecution spokesman Geza Fazekas said.

The seven are suspected of attempted match-fixing in a total six games, involving teams from Finland, Hungary and Latin American countries, Fazekas also said, adding that further arrests could follow.

Three of the four referees arrested were already suspended in mid-February by FIFA.

The world governing body opened disciplinary proceedings at the time against a total of six referees, following a 2-2 draw between Estonia and Bulgaria and a 2-1 win for Bolivia against Latvia, which raised suspicions as all seven goals in the two games were penalties.