BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian authorities have arrested nine people in relation to a massive financial fraud and match-fixing probe into soccer.
Three days after an operation targeting nine Belgian clubs, and raids in seven nations, the charges filed include belonging to a criminal organization, match fixing, money laundering, and corruption, said federal prosecutor's spokeswoman, Wenke Roggen.
Those behind bars included three agents and one top division referee.
Prosecutors said match-fixing allegations centered on the relegation battle in the top division last season and did not involve a major club.
Because of the size of the scandal, Belgian soccer's second division decided to scrap this weekend's games. There are no fixtures in the first division because of the international break.
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