Law enforcement officials in Germany announced today that 50 raids in Germany, Switzerland and England have resulted in the arrests of 17 people in connection with an alledged match-fixing ring. Those arrested are described as “leaders of the gang.” A further 200 people are suspected of being involved in the match-fixing ring. The gang is suspected of fixing the results of some 200 matches, including three games in the Champions League and 12 in the Europa League. Matches in at least nine countries including Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia and Austria are believed to have been tainted. No matches in England, Spain, Italy or France are believed to have been affected. Authorities did not say whether the manipulated Champions League or Europa League matches took place in the qualifying rounds or group stages.

UEFA representative Peter Limacher called it the biggest match-fixing scandal ever to hit Europe. Said Limacher, “We at UEFA are stunned by the magnitude of this . . . we are deeply affected by the scope of game manipulations by international gangs.”

General secretary of UEFA Gianni Infantino said in a statement, “UEFA will be demanding the harshest of sanctions before the competent courts for any individuals, clubs or officials who are implicated in this malpractice, be it under state or sports jurisdiction.” UEFA had revealed in September that 40 Champions League and UEFA Cup (predecessor to the Europa League) matches were being investigated. Those matches are believed to have largely involved Eastern European clubs in the early qualifying rounds.

German police sources revealed the following tally of matches under suspicion in the current investigation:

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