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Sam Sodje football fixing claims probed by police | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Three people are in police custody after an ex-Portsmouth player told an undercover reporter he had been involved in fixing football matches. | |
Sam Sodje was filmed by the Sun on Sunday describing how he punched an opponent in a League One game to get a red card in exchange for £70,000. | |
He also said he arranged for another player to be paid £30,000 for getting a yellow card in a Championship match. | |
Portsmouth Football Club said it was "shocked and saddened" by the claims. | |
In the video, which was filmed secretly, Mr Sodje described how he deliberately got sent off in the match against Oldham in February 2013. | |
Championship game | |
He was also filmed claiming he could rig Premier League games and was prepared to fix matches at next year's World Cup. | |
In a statement from Portsmouth Football Club, spokesman Colin Farmery said: "If these serious allegations are true then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them, as match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game. | |
"The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would cooperate fully with any inquiry." | |
The National Crime Agency, which is investigating the claims, said: "An active investigation is now under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission." | |
The Football League said it took claims of criminal activity "extremely seriously" and would assist police. | The Football League said it took claims of criminal activity "extremely seriously" and would assist police. |
International betting syndicate | International betting syndicate |
Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey encouraged anyone with any evidence to report it to the police. | Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey encouraged anyone with any evidence to report it to the police. |
Mr Harvey added: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness. | Mr Harvey added: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness. |
"We will be giving our full assistance to the police during their investigation." | "We will be giving our full assistance to the police during their investigation." |
The Gambling Commission and the Football Association both said they were aware of the investigation and were working with the NCA. | The Gambling Commission and the Football Association both said they were aware of the investigation and were working with the NCA. |
In a separate NCA investigation into an alleged international betting syndicate, two non-league footballers were earlier this week charged with conspiracy to defraud. | In a separate NCA investigation into an alleged international betting syndicate, two non-league footballers were earlier this week charged with conspiracy to defraud. |
Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22, play for Whitehawk FC, based in Brighton, in the Conference South. | Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22, play for Whitehawk FC, based in Brighton, in the Conference South. |
Two other men, Singapore national Chann Sankaran, 33, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, who has dual UK and Singapore nationality, were charged with conspiracy to defraud in November. | Two other men, Singapore national Chann Sankaran, 33, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, who has dual UK and Singapore nationality, were charged with conspiracy to defraud in November. |
The pair have been bailed and are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 11 December. | The pair have been bailed and are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 11 December. |