16 Oct 2008Match fixing scandal rocks English Championship

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

The Football Association (FA) is looking into match-fixing allegations surrounding a game between Norwich and Derby, according to the BBC.

The game, on October 4th, was won 2-1 by Derby County but suspicious betting patterns have attracted the interest of the FA.

The government has also got involved, with discussion occurring at the House of Commons today.

"Ministers take the integrity of sport and gambling very seriously, which is why the Government recently introduced a new offence of cheating at gambling which carries a maximum two-year jail sentence," a Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesman told the BBC.

"We want there to be no hiding place for cheats and it is right the FA investigate these serious allegations thoroughly.

"Should evidence that the law has been broken emerge it is for the relevant authorities such as the Gambling Commission or the police to conduct that investigation."

The Sunday Telegraph reported on unusual betting patterns surrounding a championship game in the Asian market but did not specify which match.

It comes as Italian football recovers from a major match-fixing scandal that saw many top sides punished, including Juventus who were relegated to Serie B.

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