At least five Premier League players have been approached by match-fixers, according to a whistleblower who worked with the top tier and Football Association.
Moses Swaibu, who was jailed for conspiracy to commit bribery after a Telegraph investigation into match-fixing, suggests illegal betting syndicates have targeted top levels of English football.
The former footballer, who has been working with the league since turning his life around, says he was told about the approaches by players when he was working with the FA and Premier League between 2015 and 2019 to educate young footballers about integrity risks, and has spoken to several more about the dangers of gambling. The FA has welcomed his involvement privately after the sessions received positive feedback from players and clubs.
Swaibu told the Telegraph that players revealed they had been “approached by match fixers outside [their] training ground” or at casinos in London.
He also revealed how players had also confided in their gambling habits. Many felt confused by rules banning them from placing wagers on matches given “we’re sponsored by a gambling company”, he added.
Swaibu said that some of the players who approached him to discuss betting and gambling issues now play at an international level. A worldwide betting ban on football is in place for all those involved in the Premier League, English Football League, National League and The FA Women’s Super League and The FA Women’s Championship levels. Brentford’s...
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