The Cheat Sheet - A Roundup of Sports, Gambling and Crime News - Feb. 3, 2025
Prison for Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, a Miami Heat star under investigation, and DR Congo begs European clubs to scrap Rwanda sponsorship.
The Cheat Sheet - February 3, 2025 - Issue 3
The weekly briefing for developments in sports, gambling, and crime all around the world
FOOTBALL
FRIENDLIES - Want to Fix a Football Match? It's Easy Because no Authority Cares About Friendlies
Fixed friendlies are an open wound in football, largely because nobody takes responsibility for stopping them. Organized crime groups have turned these low-stakes, off-the-books matches into an easy playground for match-fixing, especially during winter breaks when European clubs head to training camps abroad. OSINT and betting market analysis flagged 28 suspicious friendlies in January 2024 alone, with Eastern European clubs particularly entangled. The lack of regulatory oversight allows fixers to manipulate referees, introduce unknown players under false names, and exploit clubs staging games in neutral venues. Meanwhile, national associations, federations, and FIFA pass the buck, claiming these matches fall outside their jurisdiction, leaving criminals to operate with near-total impunity.AZERBAIJAN - Azerbaijan FA Bans Three Players for Life in Match-Fixing Scandal Following Coach’s Suspicions
The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) has imposed lifetime bans on players Khayal Khudaverdiyev, Movlan Karimov, and Mukhtar Nazarli for their involvement in match-fixing within the First League. The investigation was sparked by former Mingachevir Football Club head coach, Adahim Niftaliyev, who grew suspicious of certain players' performances—while some showed effort, others appeared indifferent. After raising his concerns with club management, Niftaliyev was dismissed due to a lack of concrete evidence. Undeterred, he escalated the issue to AFFA, leading to the bans following an in-depth probe.
BOLIVIA - Five-Man Match-Fixing Conspiracy Exposed
Local authorities have zeroed in on five players from a prominent Bolivian club, Real Santa Cruz, after irregular betting patterns and unexpected match outcomes set off alarm bells. Sources indicate that the implicated players—spanning key roles in midfield and defense—are suspected of orchestrating prearranged plays to manipulate the scoreline. This investigation is part of a wider crackdown by Bolivian football regulators.
BRAZIL - Mato Grosso Football Federation Declines to Suspend Championship Amid Match-Fixing Allegations
The Mato Grosso Football Federation (FMF) has decided not to suspend the 2025 Campeonato Mato-grossense despite recent match-fixing allegations. Players from Nova Mutum reported being offered between R$7,000 and R$10,000 to manipulate game outcomes. The FMF acknowledged the seriousness of the claims but emphasized that appropriate measures have been taken, and no formal notifications have been received from authorities.
CAMEROON - CAF Blocks Samuel Eto'o from Executive Committee Candidacy
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rejected Samuel Eto'o's bid for a position on its Executive Committee, citing ethical concerns. Eto'o, currently serving as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), was deemed ineligible due to ongoing investigations into his involvement in match-fixing and other ethical breaches.
LATVIA: €25,000 Bribe Leads to Landmark Conviction in Latvia
In a landmark case for Latvian football, a man has been convicted of match-fixing for attempting to bribe FK Spartaks Jūrmala to manipulate a 2018 UEFA match against Red Star Belgrade. The offered bribe of €25,000 was intended to ensure a two-goal loss, with higher payouts for larger defeats. Initially acquitted in 2022, the individual was later found guilty on appeal and sentenced to 200 hours of community service, marking the first conviction under Latvia’s 2016 anti-match-fixing laws.
RUSSIA - Former Russian Champion Reveals Insider’s View on Notorious Match-Fixing Scandal
Former Soviet and Russian football champion Dmitry Gradilenko has revealed an insider’s take on Russia’s 2019 match-fixing scandal between FC Chayka and FC Chernomorets (3-1). As FC Urozhay’s director, he publicly questioned the match, triggering a criminal investigation and his role as a witness. Gradilenko recalls investigators pressuring him for details, to which he sarcastically demanded a new identity and a house in Spain. Despite the backlash, he insists match-fixing remains entrenched in Russian football, with high personal risks for whistleblowers.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called on Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain to end their sponsorship deals with "Visit Rwanda", citing the country’s alleged role in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. The Rwandan government pays over £10 million annually to Arsenal and has similar agreements with Bayern Munich and PSG as part of its tourism promotion campaign. The DRC argues that these clubs should not be financially linked to a country accused of backing M23 rebels, who have been implicated in severe human rights abuses.
SPAIN - Spanish Court Accepts Gimnàstic’s €5M Referee Lawsuit Over Match-Fixing
A Spanish court has officially accepted Gimnàstic de Tarragona's €5 million lawsuit against referee Eder Mallo Fernández, following allegations of match-fixing. The lawsuit stems from a controversial playoff match on June 22, 2024, in which Málaga secured promotion to Spain's Segunda División after a 2-2 draw, eliminating Gimnàstic. The club claims Mallo Fernández acted with premeditated bias to favor Málaga, citing evidence from a private investigation.
SWEDEN - Match-Fixing Threat Will Always Exist, Despite Decline in Cases
Anders Wikström, integrity officer for Swedish Elite Football, stated that despite efforts leading to a decline in match-fixing incidents, the threat will never be entirely eliminated. A Sportradar report highlighted a 17% decrease in global match-fixing cases in 2024 compared to 2023.
BASEBALL
MLB - Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Faces Over Four years in Jail
Prosecutors have asked for a 57-month prison sentence for Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani, following his guilty plea to charges related to illegal gambling and embezzlement. Mizuhara admitted to stealing $17 million from Ohtani to fund his gambling activities. Prosecutors dispute Mizuhara's claims of a gambling addiction, citing evidence of his continued betting even after significant thefts. His sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2025.
BASKETBALL
NBA - Miami Heat Star Under Investigation for Alleged Illegal Sports Betting
Federal prosecutors are investigating Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier for potential involvement in an illegal sports betting scheme. The inquiry centers on a March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans, during which Rozier, then with the Hornets, exited after playing just over nine minutes due to a foot injury and did not return for the remainder of the season. Unusual betting activity was detected surrounding this game, with significant wagers placed on Rozier underperforming his typical statistics.
BOXING
UK - Three Arrested in Birmingham over Alleged Boxing Match-Fixing
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), in collaboration with West Midlands Police, arrested three individuals in Birmingham on suspicion of match-fixing related to a boxing match held last year. The arrests include a 54-year-old woman and two men aged 33 and 23.
CRICKET
BANGLADESH - Bangladesh Cricket Board investigates BPL match-fixing allegations
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has launched an investigation into alleged match-fixing within the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is examining eight matches and ten players, including national and international figures, based on anonymous tips and media reports. Suspicious activities under scrutiny involve unusual bowling patterns and questionable team selections. The BCB has established an independent inquiry body to support the ACU's efforts.
INDIA - Former Bihar Cricket Vice-Captain Accuses BCA President Rakesh Tiwari of Match-Fixing
Former Bihar cricket team vice-captain, Ashutosh Aman, has leveled serious allegations against Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) President Rakesh Tiwari, accusing him of orchestrating match-fixing. Aman claims that Tiwari, a close associate of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, manipulated team selections and match outcomes to favor certain players and teams.
SRI LANKA - Sri Lanka Seeks India's Assistance to Combat Match-Fixing
Sri Lanka has requested assistance from India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to address match-fixing issues within its cricketing circles. The move comes as Sri Lanka lacks specific legislation to effectively tackle such corruption in sports.
CYCLING
DOPING - Cycling Reports Decline in Doping Cases for 2024
The Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC) has reported 22 doping and sports fraud cases across road, track, mountain biking, BMX, and para-cycling at the international level in 2024, a decrease from 28 cases in 2023. Nearly two-thirds of the athletes implicated were competing at the Continental level, while two World Tour riders were part of MPCC-affiliated teams when their cases emerged. Despite the decline, MPCC stresses the need for continued vigilance and stricter regulations. The organization is still awaiting the results of an impact assessment on ketones, a substance the UCI has advised against since 2019.
DOPING - UCI Bans Repeated Carbon Monoxide Inhalation
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has taken a firm stand by officially banning the repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide, citing serious concerns over athlete health and safety. This precautionary measure is part of the UCI's broader effort to clamp down on risky, performance-enhancing practices in cycling, reinforcing the commitment to a fair and secure competitive environment.
GAMBLING
BRAZIL - Brazil Mandates Risk-Based AML Measures for Sports Betting Operators
A new regulation (Portaria No. 1.143/2024) issued by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance's Secretariat for Prizes and Betting states that betting operators must adopt a risk-based approach to identify and report suspicious transactions to the Financial Activities Control Council (Coaf). Operators must establish a risk matrix considering their business model, products, services, and the profiles of users, employees, and business partners.
NETHERLANDS - Dutch Football Clubs Face €70 Million Loss Due to Gambling Sponsorship Ban
The Netherlands will enforce a ban on gambling sponsorships starting July 1, 2025, as part of government efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from gambling harm. This move is expected to cost Dutch professional football clubs around €70 million per year, including €40 million in lost sponsorship deals and €30 million in related advertising revenue. Over the past four years, 33 out of 34 professional clubs have relied on gambling sponsorships, making the financial impact severe.
UK - Betting Giants under Fire for Ads Targeting At-Risk Gamblers
A recent court case has revealed that UK betting firms have been targeting problem gamblers with relentless marketing campaigns. One individual received 1,300 promotional emails over two years, exacerbating his gambling addiction. Despite previous industry promises to self-regulate, critics argue that betting companies continue to prioritize profits over player protection, fueling gambling-related harm.
ICE HOCKEY
RUSSIA - KHL Club Salavat Yulaev Refuses to Cooperate in Meldonium Doping Scandal Investigation
KHL club Salavat Yulaev refused to assist in the probe into the meldonium doping scandal involving the club's youth team, Tolpar, according to investigators. The club is accused of providing formulaic responses rather than meaningful cooperation and its management of seeking to protect its reputation over transparency. The scandal, which erupted in April 2023, initially involved seven Tolpar players testing positive for meldonium, followed by ten more cases later. All affected players have since served their suspensions.
TABLE TENNIS
JAPAN - Table Tennis Star Koki Niwa Investigated for Alleged Illegal Gambling
Two-time Olympic medalist and Japanese table tennis player Koki Niwa is under investigation for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling. Reports indicate that in the summer of 2023, Niwa used cryptocurrency to place bets on sports events through an online gambling platform, with wagers totaling several million yen. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department intensified its crackdown on an online casino's payment agency, leading to Niwa's questioning. Niwa has reportedly stated that he was unaware his actions were illegal.
TAEKWONDO
INDIA - Taekwondo Director Under Match-Fixing Suspicion at India’s National Games 2025
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has taken swift action by sacking the taekwondo director of competition, T. Praveen Kumar, at the National Games 2025 amid match-fixing allegations. Apparent attempts to fix results were detected in ten of the 16 weight categories before the competition began.
TENNIS
AUSTRALIA - Bernard Tomic Breaks Silence on Police Investigation into Match-Fixing
Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has responded to reports of a police investigation into alleged match-fixing involving his matches in 2021 and 2022, including during the 2022 Australian Open. The investigation, initiated after suspicious betting patterns were reported, concluded without sufficient evidence for criminal charges. Tomic cooperated with authorities and faced no charges.
BELGIUM - Six Tennis Players Banned for Match-Fixing in Belgium
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has sanctioned six current or former tennis players linked to a Belgian match-fixing syndicate. The bans range from two to fifteen years, with fines imposed. This action brings the total to approximately 30 players punished for connections to the syndicate led by Grigor Sargsyan, who previously received a five-year custodial sentence.
DOPING - PTPA Launches Pro Bono Legal Aid for Players Facing Doping and Corruption Allegations
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil in 2020, has introduced a pro bono legal defense program to support players accused of doping or corruption. Collaborating with law firms King & Spalding LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, the initiative aims to assist players regardless of their financial standing. This move follows high-profile cases involving top players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, which highlighted disparities in how doping allegations are handled, especially affecting lower-ranked players. Former British doubles number one, Tara Moore, who co-founded the program, shared her experience of incurring $250,000 in legal fees during a provisional suspension before being exonerated.
FEATURED INSIGHT
FRANCE - Groundbreaking Report on Match-Fixing in France
The EPOSM Report on Match-Fixing in France provides key insights into the extent and nature of match-fixing in football, tennis, and handball. The study, based on a survey of 359 respondents, found that 16.7% had either been approached or knew someone who had been approached to fix a match. Notably, match-fixing was more prevalent at the amateur level, with many cases linked to non-betting-related motives, such as avoiding relegation or helping teams qualify for promotions. The data revealed that athletes and referees were the most common targets, often approached by opponents or figures within their own sport. Additionally, the findings highlighted a concerning trend: match-fixing appears to be internalized within local sporting cultures, making it harder to combat.
The study also emphasized that sporting-related match-fixing—fixing games for non-betting reasons—is often overlooked compared to betting-related corruption. Unlike traditional assumptions that match-fixing is driven by external criminal syndicates, the report found that manipulation is frequently embedded within the sports ecosystem, involving teammates, coaches, and officials. This normalization of match-fixing at lower levels raises concerns that it could extend into professional sports and betting markets. Tennis emerged as the most vulnerable sport in terms of direct approaches to fix matches, while football and handball showed similar risks, though often linked to in-game arrangements rather than betting.
A major issue identified was the lack of reporting and preventive measures. Of the 60 respondents who encountered match-fixing incidents, 50% never reported them, and even among those who did, the outcomes of these reports remained unclear. Furthermore, only 28.3% of clubs had explicit match-fixing policies, while 36.4% had no awareness of match-fixing at all. The report calls for urgent action from French sports authorities, urging better awareness campaigns, stronger ethical training, and a more structured approach to detecting and preventing match-fixing at all levels. The findings suggest that without intervention, match-fixing—both sporting and betting-related—will remain an ongoing risk to the integrity of French sports.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE READING
AMERICAN FOOTBALL - Troy Aikman Talks About Calling Out Refs, NFL During Texans-Chiefs Playoff Game (Sports Illustrated)
GAMBLING - ‘I lost 10 years of my life’: how UK betting giant’s unlawful marketing kept suicidal gambler hooked (The Guardian)
GAMBLING - Why States Took a Gamble on Sports Betting (The Atlantic)