Law enforcement in Wales have taken action against a group involved in manipulating game outcomes, detaining ten individuals suspected of connections to a rigged match in the Cymru Premier last season.
The inquiry commenced after the Football Association of Wales (FAW) alerted the Gambling Commission, the regulatory body for sports wagering, about irregular betting activity surrounding the April 9th game between Barry Town and their hosts, Holyhead Hotspur. This information was subsequently relayed to the South Wales Police.
Currently, seven males and three females are in custody, though officials have not revealed their specific roles in relation to the match or identified any players who might be implicated.
Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the FAW, highlighted the joint effort leading to the apprehensions: “These detentions are the outcome of a cooperative investigation involving the FAW, South Wales Police, and the Gambling Commission, following a thorough exchange of information.”
He emphasized the FAW’s continued dedication to its integrity education program, initiated in 2014, and its existing systems for monitoring and reporting, both of which played a role in the arrests. Ford also confirmed that the FAW would not be imposing any sporting penalties on any individuals while the police investigation remains active.
This situation arises as the problem of match manipulation in football faces heightened examination. The European Sports Security Association (ESSA), representing sports betting companies, documented five questionable incidents in football during the initial six months of 2016 alone.
