Football, known as the king of sports, attracts a vast number of fans worldwide. However, alongside its growth, there are hidden corners yet to be fully revealed. Among the most notable is the issue of match fixing involving some players. Do you know what match fixing is and how to identify this behavior? Join NicePH in the following article to find answers to these questions.

Table of Contents

What is match fixing?

Match fixing refers to players deliberately prearranging game outcomes while competing on the field. This significantly impacts the results of each match and is considered a form of gambling through football betting. Players participating in such activities often receive substantial financial rewards if the plan succeeds.

A middleman usually facilitates the arrangement of match results. The ultimate goal is to profit from organized gambling. Worldwide, numerous matches have been linked to match fixing. Players involved are considered accomplices and face severe penalties if caught.

Signs of Match fixing Behavior

Once you understand what match fixing is, you can identify this behavior through several characteristics:

A team typically known for short-passing play suddenly adopts an unusual long-ball strategy.
Players intentionally miss favorable passes from teammates or lose opportunities in bizarre or clumsy ways.
A goalkeeper often faces situations where they must confront four defenders at once, trying to maintain the match result.
Frequent mistakes such as losing the ball or making unnecessary fouls that lead to easy goals for the opponent.
It is intentionally provoking opponents with fouls or unnecessarily delaying the game.
Prolonged attacks along the wings to waste time when their team is trailing.
Numerous failed passes and excessive shots are off-target during a match.
Missing golden scoring opportunities in one-on-one situations with the opposing goalkeeper.

What Legal Violations Does Match fixing Constitute?

Understanding what match fixing is also involves knowing the penalties for such behavior. As previously mentioned, match fixing is a form of gambling conducted by manipulating match outcomes. This is classified as a crime affecting public safety and order. Vietnamese law, among others, specifically addresses match fixing as a form of gambling.

Groups of players and other individuals place bets on which team will win or lose. Players involved not only place bets but also deliberately manipulate the outcomes while competing. According to legal provisions, these actions are categorized under gambling and organizing gambling. Penalties vary based on the severity of the crime.

=> Read more: Who Are the 10 Tallest Football Players in the World?

Types of Match fixing

Below are some common forms of match fixing:

Betting: Match fixing through betting is the most prevalent form, where participants wager on specific outcomes and then manipulate the results to align with their bets.
Result Agreements: Players, coaches, or referees prearrange match outcomes to favor one side.
Detailed Analysis: Insiders use their knowledge about team formations, player fitness, weather conditions, etc., to influence match results.
Rule Violations: Actions such as arranging results, ignoring game rules, or committing deliberate fouls can alter match outcomes.

Additionally, other forms of match fixing include deceptive tactics, red-card manipulation, and intentional fouls. All these actions violate laws and compromise the integrity and fairness of sports.

=> Are you looking for a reputable and top-quality casino for betting? Try our partners: JJJ777 Casino.

Major Match fixing Scandals of the 21st Century

Match fixing in K-League, Player Commits Suicide

In early 2011, the football world was shaken when Jeong Jong-Kwan, a player in the South Korean K-League, committed suicide due to involvement in match fixing. In his suicide note, Jeong admitted to participating in match manipulation. Police had earlier accused him of transferring money from match fixing brokers to players in the national league.

Subsequent investigations revealed that 11 players were guilty. Ten of them received lifetime bans, while one was banned from playing for five years. Eight of these players belonged to the same team, Daejeon Citizen.

Officials and Referees Manipulate Matches in China

Two renowned Chinese football referees and around 20 former officials were arrested in a 2011 campaign to clean up Chinese football.

Referee Huang Junjie was accused of accepting bribes totaling £160,000 to manipulate matches, including international games and national league fixtures. One notable instance involved a 2007 friendly featuring Manchester United. Zhang Jianqiang, a former Super League organizer, was also arrested for accepting £260,000 in bribes.

This scandal severely damaged the image of Chinese football. State broadcaster CCTV stopped airing Super League matches, and several sponsors withdrew their support.

=> Read more: Corner Betting – Everything You Need to Know at NicePH

Italy’s Scommessopoli Scandal

In mid-2012, Italian authorities conducted a surprise investigation, arresting numerous players and football officials. Notable names included Lazio captain Stefano Mauri, Italian national team defender Domenico Criscito, and Juventus coach Antonio Conte, who had just won the Serie A title.

Those arrested were linked to an illegal betting network run by Singaporean gambling kingpin Tan Seet Eng, who was apprehended in late 2011.

Europol Investigates Champions League

In early 2013, Europol announced the existence of match fixing in the prestigious Champions League.

Approximately 425 referees, club officials, players, and criminals were identified as being involved. Europol revealed that these suspicious matches included World Cup and Euro qualifiers, two Champions League games, and several top-tier European league fixtures. The investigation had been ongoing for 18 months.

=> Read more: SABA Sports – The Most Voted Betting Platform of 2024

Conclusion

Through the article above, NicePH sheds light on match fixing and highlights some infamous cases. Match fixing is a reprehensible act that tarnishes the reputation of athletes and sports events. It negatively impacts the integrity of competitions and creates cynicism among fans. Therefore, it is an offense subject to severe penalties.