5 Dec 2008FA closes Championship match-fixing inquiry

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

The Football Association (FA) confirmed today (December 5th) that it has dropped its investigation into recent claims over match-fixing in the Championship.

Allegations surfaced recently in relation to irregular internet betting patterns in Asia during a clash between Norwich City and Derby County on October 4th.

However, the FA has concluded in its inquiry that there is no evidence to suggest that the game - which resulted in a 2-1 win for Derby - was influenced by bribes.

Rams' spokesman Matt McCann said: "Both clubs said from the start that they were totally innocent of any wrongdoing.

"If anything they are extremely irritated that this was whipped into an unnecessary storm and it has been unfortunate for both clubs and the players involved in the game."

At the time of the allegations, FA chairman Lord Triesman claimed that the matter would be investigated "very thoroughly and expeditiously".

The Spanish league has recently been hit by the possibility of a match-fixing scandal after reports suggested that a player was offered a bribe to throw a La Liga match last season.

© Copyright