Belgian football players are suspected of a huge football scandal - police conducted as many as 57 raids in Belgium and beyond on Wednesday in search of evidence of illegal financial operations related to fixed matches, as reported in a statement by the AP agency.
One of the most well-known football player agents, Mogi Bayat, was detained by police on Wednesday. Also implicated are the strategist of the Belgian top league champions "Brugge", Ivan Leko, former "Anderlecht" manager Herman Van Holsbeeck, and several first league referees. They are suspected of money laundering and match-fixing.
The Belgian police carried out 44 raids, with another 13 conducted in France, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Montenegro, Serbia, and Macedonia.
According to representative Wenke Roggen of the institution investigating this case, various representatives from the football and other sectors are involved in these unpleasant matters: player agents, former lawyers, jewelers, journalists, and others.
Belgian Minister of Justice Koen Geens expressed concern: "Such things tarnish the sport. We are working to ensure that sports are clean and fair."
