Another arrest in Polish football scam

Polish football Premier League referee, Piotr P, has been arrested at his home in Warsaw following an ongoing investigation into the widespread corruption in Polish football.

Only a few days ago, the referee was overseeing a match. Today, he is to be interrogated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The arrest of Piotr P. means that there are now only 17 referees entitled to referee matches in Poland’s top football league, although in order for matches to be played, the Polish Referees Association needs at least 18 certified professionals.

Piotr P. is the 196th person to be detained in connection with match fixing in Poland since investigations began in May 2005. So far charges have been levied against referees, footballers and sporting professionals, including Wit Z. and Kazimierz F, board members from the Polish Football Association.

He is to stand in front of prosecutors in the south-western town of Wroclaw where he will hear the accusations brought against him. He has refereed 12 matches so far this season.

Another referee, Mariusz Z. From the Silesian town of Sosnowiec was arrested yesterday and has two counts of corruption brought against him.

A fourth division referee has also been taken into custody for accepting bribes in the 2003/4 season in the Polish third division.

In the continuing case of cleaning up Polish football, so far almost 200 people have had accusations brought against them over corruption in the sport. 68 of them have been arrested.

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