Poland launches probe into alleged soccer corruption
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Poland's prime minister announced a probe into the Polish soccer federation following allegations of corruption and a string of match-fixing scandals Monday.
The finance, sport and justice ministries will investigate the federation's taxes and finances. Prosecutors will also continue with a probe of match-fixing and alleged corruption in local branches and at the top levels of the federation.
Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz also called on the association to make its budget public.
"All these actions will be undertaken to fix the situation in the Polish Soccer Federation," Marcinkiewicz said. "This is very important for sport in Poland, and of course we are all very interested in soccer."
Marcinkiewicz pledged the investigation "will have no negative impact" on Poland's joint bid with neighbouring Ukraine to host the 2012 European championship.
Soccer federation spokesman Michal Kocieba said the association "does not fear" the investigation.
"Our finances are in line, and we have nothing to hide," he said in remarks shown on TVN24 television.
The first and second divisions of Poland's domestic league have recently been rocked by match-rigging scandals. Since opening an investigation last year, prosecutors in the western city of Wroclaw have pressed charges against some 20 people on match-fixing and bribery charges.
Last Wednesday, Wroclaw police arrested four people on corruption charges, including two referees.
The alleged ringleader, identified only as Ryszard F. due to Polish privacy laws, was arrested on charges of heading an organized criminal group and for rigging first-and second-division matches from 2000-2006.
The suspect allegedly handed out bribes to referees and raked in an estimated 420,000 zlotys ($130,000 US). If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Link
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Poland's prime minister announced a probe into the Polish soccer federation following allegations of corruption and a string of match-fixing scandals Monday.
The finance, sport and justice ministries will investigate the federation's taxes and finances. Prosecutors will also continue with a probe of match-fixing and alleged corruption in local branches and at the top levels of the federation.
Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz also called on the association to make its budget public.
"All these actions will be undertaken to fix the situation in the Polish Soccer Federation," Marcinkiewicz said. "This is very important for sport in Poland, and of course we are all very interested in soccer."
Marcinkiewicz pledged the investigation "will have no negative impact" on Poland's joint bid with neighbouring Ukraine to host the 2012 European championship.
Soccer federation spokesman Michal Kocieba said the association "does not fear" the investigation.
"Our finances are in line, and we have nothing to hide," he said in remarks shown on TVN24 television.
The first and second divisions of Poland's domestic league have recently been rocked by match-rigging scandals. Since opening an investigation last year, prosecutors in the western city of Wroclaw have pressed charges against some 20 people on match-fixing and bribery charges.
Last Wednesday, Wroclaw police arrested four people on corruption charges, including two referees.
The alleged ringleader, identified only as Ryszard F. due to Polish privacy laws, was arrested on charges of heading an organized criminal group and for rigging first-and second-division matches from 2000-2006.
The suspect allegedly handed out bribes to referees and raked in an estimated 420,000 zlotys ($130,000 US). If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Link
posted by BEING HAD at 8:00 AM
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