Czech police charge 25 over match-fixing

Czech police said Wednesday they had charged 25 football officials and referees over match-fixing in regional football leagues dating back to 2013

Prague: Czech police said Wednesday they had charged 25 football officials and referees over match-fixing in regional football leagues dating back to 2013.

"Five people have been charged with bribery and 20 with accepting a bribe," said Jaroslav Ibehej, spokesman for the Czech police's anti-corruption squad, without naming the involved officials or teams.

Between May and November 2013, the officials "bribed referees to make them act in favour of a specific team... or be impartial," he said, adding the case concerned 10 games.

Those charged with bribery face up to two years in prison if convicted, while those who accepted a bribe may spend four years behind bars, the police said.

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