Spanish law enforcement officials have apprehended 17 individuals in relation to match-fixing activities associated with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Among those detained are administrators and athletes from third-tier RFEF clubs.
The apprehensions were executed by the Spanish National Police in conjunction with the European Union law enforcement agency Europol and the sports organization La Liga.
The operation transpired in Melilla and Granada. Eleven individuals were apprehended in Melilla and six in Granada.
The inquiry commenced in February when the Spanish General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) notified the police about multiple match-fixing warnings they had received.
The DGOJ’s suspicions were grounded in numerous wagers placed from Melilla targeting specific outcomes of football matches played by Melilla teams.
Concurrently, La Liga also raised suspicions through its reporting procedures. These reports centered on the problematic Melilla team, particularly their prior alleged match-fixing activities and misuse of aid and subsidies.
Further investigation…
Spanish law enforcement officials have unearthed more evidence connecting the head of Melilla FC to a criminal syndicate engaged in match manipulation. He is accused of being entangled in a controversy involving athletes.
Authorities also claim that players utilized intermediaries to mask their ties to betting and the games.
Moreover, Melilla FC was discovered to have received funds that were used deceptively. These funds grew over time.
Seven football matches are currently being scrutinized. Law enforcement officials assert that additional apprehensions have been ruled out. At present, police are unable to gauge the total sum defrauded from the operators.
Spain’s National Police announced in May that they would probe potential gambling fraud identified by the DGOJ. However, it remains uncertain if this is the same inquiry.
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