German Police Investigate Potential Soccer Match-Fixing Scandal

German police investigate potential match-fixing in lower-league soccer games after reports suggest scores were sold online for betting. The investigation covers games across different divisions, with suspicions of refereeing errors and unusual goals. German authorities are in contact but lack robust information on specific cases.

German authorities are probing potential match-fixing in lower-league soccer games amidst reports that game scores were allegedly sold online for betting purposes.

Hamburger Morgenpost revealed that message logs suggest up to 17 games, ranging from the third division to regional fifth-tier competitions, may have been compromised and detailed the sale via the 'dark web'.

Although the newspaper didn't publish specific messages or identify teams, it noted instances of refereeing errors and unusual goals. Saarland police confirmed an ongoing investigation while prosecutors in Saarbrücken hinted at manipulations aimed at facilitating sports betting fraud. Despite cooperating authorities, the German soccer federation reported lacking robust details about specific cases.

(With inputs from agencies.)