In a story published today, Helsingin Sanomat reported on a wide fraud scandal, in which suspicions of manipulation extend to several Finnish lower division clubs.
According to information from Helsingin Sanomat in recent years, in the lower leagues, there has been widespread, even criminal, activity against the spirit of sportsmanship and the rules. It’s about influencing the events and results of matches, i.e. match manipulation. This has been aimed at financial gain in foreign betting markets.
According to the newspaper’s information, the strongest doubts are related to Ilves-Kissai and FC Futura, who play in Kakkose, i.e. at the fourth league level, and Finnkurd, who play in Kolmose, i.e. at the fifth league level.
The General Secretary of the Swedish Football Association Marco Casagrande according to Palloliitto has been aware of a possible fraud scandal and has cooperated in the matter with, among others, the Finnish Sports Ethics Center (Suek) and the Central Criminal Police.
– On a general level, we have been in constant contact with the national action group and Suek for years. In this situation, now significantly more closely in the last year, Casagrande told Urheilu.
Casagrande: Finland needs a law change
According to Casagrande, the Finnish Football Federation has limited resources to ensure that there is no cheating in the matches. The association hopes for more resources with the upcoming gambling reform, but above all, the association wants a change in the law in Finland.
– We have been driving it for 10–15 years. Sports fraud or gambling fraud, whatever it’s called, because in practice organized crime is often, if not always, behind these things, Casagrande reminded.
– The most important thing is the criminalization of match manipulation so that there is no need to think about whether it is about taking or giving a bribe in business activities, but the manipulation of matches would be directly sports fraud.
According to Casagrande, the police are currently practically the only ones with sufficient resources to solve these kinds of issues. The police also have challenges obtaining evidence of these crimes.
More information is expected in the near future
Helsingin Sanomat’s extensive story of suspected manipulation is linked to several Brazilian players and the agent responsible for their arrangements. A police investigation is currently underway into the arrangement, but the Helsinki Police Department did not want to tell Helsingin Sanomat what the investigation is about.
According to Marco Casagrande, since more information is expected about the case, it is not up to the Football Association.
– I would dare to say that in the near future. I hope we are talking about days and not months.