Top 5 Match Fixing Scandals

 BY GOBIND PREET SINGH

1. Black Sox Scandal

The 1919 World Series was lost intentionally by the Chicago White Sox in one of the most controversial and consequential scandals in the history of America. Factions within the clubhouse were divided, but virtually all were in agreement that White Sox players were underpaid by team owner Charles Comiskey. The illness of the pitcher Red Faber made it possible for gamblers like James “Sporty” Sullivan to pay eight White Sox players to throw the series. All this ended in Eddie Cicotte hitting a batsman with his second pitch, serving as a prearranged signal that the fix was in.

2. 2006 Calciopoli Scandal

The Calciopoli scandal swept Italy’s Serie A in 2006 and had a serious impact on the league, with consequences lasting for several seasons. The scandal involved top clubs in the country influencing the appointment of officials to their respective matches in an effort to change the outcome. Several of Italy’s biggest clubs were involved including Juventus, Lazio, Fiorentina, who were all eventually relegated to Serie B and given points deduction for their roles in the scandal. AC Milan was also implicated in the scandal, but only received a 15-point reduction and a ban from the UEFA Champions League. Juventus had two of their league titles stripped as an additional punishment, but the club has managed to recover in recent years to become a dominant force in the league.

3. Olympique Marseille Match Fixing

The careful planning and empire building of Bernard Tapie was filled with selfishness and greed, while Olympique de Marseille was fresh off of winning the 1993 UEFA Champions League. Marseille had a great season with their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title and the French Cup, but it was all undone with a stupid attempted bribe of several Valenciennes players. The Valenciennes players were approached by a Marseille official and a player revealed to be Jean-Jacques Eydelie, with an offer to throw their upcoming match and avoid injury to Marseille players. Marseille were eventually relegated to Second Division and Tapie was ousted when additional financial irregularities were revealed.

4. Robert Hoyzer Fixes Bundesliga Matches

German football was shaken in 2005 when it was revealed that Second Division referee Robert Hoyzer was involved in a €2 million match fixing scandal that spanned several competitions. Hoyzer was accused of fixing several matches in the Second and Third Division as well as a match in the DFB Pokal. Hoyzer awarded controversial penalties and sent off players for dissent to influence these outcomes, including a match between Paderborn and Hamburg. The scandal shook up the country just prior to Germany hosting the 2006 World Cup. Hoyzer was sentenced to more than  two years in jail for his involvement, while several other players and officials also received bans for their participation.

5. Indian Premier League Cricket Fixing

Cricket is no different to controversy, but the Indian Premier League was still shocked by the 2013 spot fixing scandal involving the Rajasthan Royals. Three Royal players, Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan were arrested for spot fixing along with 23 others by Delhi police. The trio was believed to be under the influence of gambling associates Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel. Chavan and Sreesanth were eventually released along with others due to lack of evidence. Despite these links and contact with bookies, many avoided punishment due to lack of coordination between investigating authorities.