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Former Zenit St Petersburg defender claims he paid a referee to fix games Former Zenit St Petersburg defender claims he paid a referee to fix games
(3 days later)
The former Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Erik Hagen has claimed that he had paid a referee to fix a Uefa Cup match during his time at the Russian team.The former Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Erik Hagen has claimed that he had paid a referee to fix a Uefa Cup match during his time at the Russian team.
The 38-year old Norwegian footballer said that it was customary to pay for match-fixing and he and his team-mates each paid a referee $3,000 (£1,800) to secure the outcome of a Uefa Cup match between 2005 and 2008. In return he said each of them received a $12,000 bonus (£7,200). The 38-year old Norwegian footballer said that it was customary to pay for match-fixing and he and his team-mates each paid a referee $3,000 (£1,800) to secure the outcome of a Uefa Cup match between 2005 and 2008.
"I can't remember which match it was … I asked 'what's going on' and they just said 'You got to get used to this because that's how it is'," he told Norwegian daily VG. "We had some crazy victory bonuses in Europe, $12,000. Before the match, this player says each of us should give $3,000 of the bonus to the referee, so that we could win," Hagen told Norwegian daily VG.
"I can't remember which match it was … I asked 'what's going on' and they just said 'You got to get used to this because that's how it is.'"
Asked whether he had brought the issue to the attention of Uefa he said he would "tell them the same thing if they ring me".Asked whether he had brought the issue to the attention of Uefa he said he would "tell them the same thing if they ring me".
"Someone has to be the first to do this," Hagen added. "There are lots of rumours about corruption in international football.""Someone has to be the first to do this," Hagen added. "There are lots of rumours about corruption in international football."
A spokesman for the Russian team, Evgueny Gusev denied the allegations. "We are deeply astonished by the statement of Erik Hagen," he told state news agency RIA Novosti. "Zenit has always followed and follows the principles of fair play and proves its worth only on the football field."A spokesman for the Russian team, Evgueny Gusev denied the allegations. "We are deeply astonished by the statement of Erik Hagen," he told state news agency RIA Novosti. "Zenit has always followed and follows the principles of fair play and proves its worth only on the football field."
• The byline on this article was amended on 4 April 2014. It was originally misattributed to Reuters. • The byline on this article was amended on 4 April 2014. It was originally misattributed to Reuters. The article was further amended on 7 April 2014 to clarify remarks made by Erik Hagen to the Norwegian daily VG.