The Cheat Sheet - A Roundup of Sports, Gambling and Crime News
Discover how multi-club ownership is changing the Premier League, read up on match-fixing scandals spanning Europe, India, and Brazil, plus a shocking cocaine smuggling arrest in Belgium.
The Cheat Sheet - January 27, 2025 - Issue 2
The weekly briefing for developments in sports, gambling, and crime all around the world
FOOTBALL
IRELAND – Michael Lowry Accused in Doncaster Rovers Document Scandal
Michael Lowry, an Irish member of parliament, has been accused of destroying key documents tied to corruption allegations involving Doncaster Rovers FC in England. The case revolves around claims that Lowry used his position to facilitate questionable deals within the club, allegedly benefiting associates and bypassing governance standards. Lowry denies all allegations.SPAIN – Sevilla’s Kike Salas Potentially Part of Larger Match-Fixing Network
The recent arrest of Sevilla defender Kike Salas, for his suspected implication in a spot-fixing scheme involving deliberate yellow cards in matches, was one of the more high-profile match-fixing scandals in recent memory. He now awaits a trial date, and authorities are looking at this being a smaller part of a larger match-fixing network. Reports suggest that Salas intentionally committed fouls during the first half of games, enabling two associates to place winning bets that netted them approximately €10,000. The relatively low payout, given Salas’ lucrative salary, raises concerns about the motivations behind such actions and highlights a worrying trend where spot-fixing becomes normalized. Salas’ case adds to broader scrutiny of how football handles integrity issues.TURKEY – Galatasaray Faces Match-Fixing Allegations
Galatasaray is at the center of a range of match-fixing allegations after contentious refereeing decisions during recent matches. Konyaspor accused referees of favoring Galatasaray, escalating tensions within Turkish football.
BELGIUM – Radja Nainggolan Arrested for Cocaine Smuggling
Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan has been arrested on charges of cocaine smuggling following a police operation targeting a transnational drug trafficking network. Nainggolan is accused of being involved in the importation of large quantities of cocaine, with investigators linking him to several shipments intercepted in recent months. Nainggolan’s legal team denies the allegations.
INDIA – Mizoram Premier League Grapples with Match-Fixing Scandal
The Mizoram Premier League, based in a small state in northeastern India, has been marred by allegations of widespread match-fixing, with players and officials accused of colluding with bookmakers to manipulate outcomes. Investigations in 2024 allegedly revealed a complex web of connections between local gambling networks and league insiders. However, a number of suspended players are now fighting back, saying that the evidence used to condemn them was inherently flawed.MEXICO – Atlante FC Leaves Stadium Amid Corruption Scandal
Atlante FC, a Mexican football club, has abandoned its home stadium, Ciudad de los Deportes, following revelations of corruption involving local officials. Investigations suggest that mismanagement and bribery played roles in the club’s decision to relocate from what was a flagship sports investment project in Mexico City.
CHINA – FIFA Refuses to Extend Ban on Chinese Player Son Jun-Ho
Son Jun-Ho, banned from the 2022 World Cup over alleged match-fixing, will not face further suspension after FIFA determined there was insufficient evidence to extend the ban. The case may set a precedent about how FIFA handles disciplinary actions, particularly in cases lacking clear evidence.BRAZIL – Audio Leak Reveals Match-Fixing Attempt in Mato Grosso
In the Campeonato Mato-Grossense, the regional league of Brazil’s state of Mato Grosso, Nova Mutum players were approached by criminals offering substantial payouts to fix match outcomes. An audio recording has surfaced, allegedly capturing the criminals’ attempts to coerce players into the scheme. Nova Mutum has pledged full cooperation with authorities to root out corruption in the league.CHILE – Clubs Continue Boycott Amid Governance Crisis in Chilean Football
Second-division clubs in Chile are in open revolt against the national football association (ANFP), accusing its leadership of financial mismanagement and corruption. Teams have reported delays in receiving critical funding, and accusations of favoritism have plagued league administration. Referees are also threatening to join the players’ strike. The crisis escalated with threats of boycotts from several clubs, who demand urgent reforms. Chilean football has faced integrity issues before, including match-fixing scandals in recent years, and this governance failure risks further destabilizing the sport.
ESPORTS
NORTH AMERICA – PGL Bans Four More Dota 2 Players for Match-Fixing
PGL, a prominent esports tournament organizer, has banned four more Dota 2 players after an investigation revealed they manipulated match outcomes in lower-tier games. These bans are part of an ongoing effort to tackle match-fixing in the competitive esports scene, which has seen several scandals emerge in North America.
GAMBLING
SWEDEN – Goodwin NV Banned for Breaching Anti-Money Laundering Rules
Swedish gambling authorities have barred Goodwin NV from operating in the market, citing serious violations of anti-money laundering protocols. Regulators highlighted significant gaps in the company’s compliance efforts, reflecting Sweden’s increasingly strict stance on gambling-related financial crime.VIETNAM – $1 Billion Money-Laundering Operation Uncovered
Vietnamese police have dismantled an illegal gambling syndicate that laundered over $1 billion through offshore accounts and cryptocurrencies. The operation involved a transnational network of criminals, leveraging sophisticated financial systems to obscure transactions and evade detection.USA – EMU Basketball Games Under Scrutiny for Suspicious Betting
Eastern Michigan University’s basketball program is under investigation after irregular betting patterns were flagged in several games. Betting monitors reported unusual spikes in wagers on specific outcomes, including point spreads that coincided with questionable in-game decisions. Authorities are now examining whether these anomalies suggest potential match-fixing.
MMA
AUSTRALIA – Sydney Gym Owners Barred from Combat Sports Following Shooting
The owners of a Sydney gym, where a man was fatally shot in 2023, have been deemed "not fit and proper" by authorities to participate in combat sports promotion. The gym has alleged ties to organized crime, and the fatal shooting raised further concerns about criminal infiltration in the Australian MMA scene.
RUGBY
FIJI – Former Rugby Accountant and Wife Plead Not Guilty to Fraud Charges
Former Fiji Rugby Union Financial Accountant, Pawan Deo, and his wife, Subhashni Mudaliar, have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining financial advantage. Between February and July 2022, they allegedly conspired to siphon over FJD $53,000 from the Fiji Rugby Union, using fraudulent payments through their company, Sports Supplies Limited.
CORRUPTION AND GOVERNANCE
ITALY – Arrests in San Luca Corruption Case Linked to Stadium Bids
Authorities in Calabria have arrested several former officials, including the former mayor and a councilor of San Luca, over allegations of corruption tied to infrastructure projects. Key allegations include claims of local organized crime influencing the bidding process for football stadium projects, awarding contracts to syndicate-linked businesses to embezzle public funds.SPAIN – FIFA May Intervene in Spanish FA Governance Crisis
FIFA is reportedly considering intervention in the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over allegations of financial mismanagement and governance failures. The Higher Sports Council has called for reforms amid growing pressure, potentially setting a precedent for international oversight in national associations.SPAIN – Sports Media Piracy Costs Industry €1 Billion Annually
Sports broadcasting piracy has cost the audiovisual industry in Spain an estimated €1 billion annually. Illegally streamed matches deprive leagues, broadcasters, and sponsors of vital revenue. Authorities continue to battle piracy with legal crackdowns and new technologies, though enforcement remains a significant challenge.
FEATURED INSIGHT
A recent report on multi-club ownership (MCO) in English football, authored by expert Jason Stephens, provides a detailed examination of the growing trend of owners controlling multiple teams across leagues and continents. The document delves into the financial strategies, governance challenges, and competitive implications of MCOs, highlighting both opportunities and significant risks. With nearly 200 clubs in Europe’s top leagues tied to a second team, and private equity driving much of the expansion, the report provides a thoroughly engaging analysis of this complex phenomenon.
Multi-club ownership is reshaping football, but not without controversy. Owners often exploit regulatory gaps to bypass UEFA rules on owning multiple clubs in the same competition, using minority stakes or informal alliances to maintain influence. Opaque ownership structures obscure accountability, leaving fans and regulators in the dark. Meanwhile, the financial focus of some MCOs, particularly those backed by private equity, prioritizes short-term returns over sustainable growth, leading to performance challenges, as seen in clubs like Lyon. Conflicts of interest, such as coordinated player movements between affiliated clubs, further test the limits of fairness in the sport.
The report calls for action to address these issues through clearer ownership disclosure requirements, standardized governance frameworks, and enhanced collaboration across leagues. By prioritizing transparency, competitive integrity, and local stakeholder accountability, football authorities can harness the benefits of MCOs while mitigating their risks.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE READING
AUSTRALIA - Australians bet more than $50b a year on sport. This promises to be a game-changer (Sydney Morning Herald)
FOOTBALL - PGMOL ‘appalled’ by abuse of referee Michael Oliver after Arsenal red card (The Guardian)
TENNIS - Strict Liability In Doping And The Case Of Jannik Sinner (GNLU Centre for Sports and Entertainment Law)
UNITED KINGDOM - Changing Times in School Sport (ICE Education)