Football, arguably the world’s most favourite sport, has faced numerous challenges in maintaining its integrity, particularly concerning betting scandals. These incidents have not only tarnished the reputation of the game but have also led to significant legal and administrative repercussions. Here are some of the most notorious football betting scandals in history, with details about the financial aspects and the scale of each scandal.

The British betting scandal (1964)

Scale: Around £1,500 (equivalent to roughly £30,000 today) was exchanged in bribes to fix matches.

Details: In the early 1960s, a major betting scandal rocked English football. Masterminded by former player Jimmy Gauld, a syndicate bribed players to fix matches, allowing them to profit from betting on predetermined outcomes. The most infamous case involved three Sheffield Wednesday players—Peter Swan, Tony Kay, and David Layne—who were convicted of conspiring to fix a match against Ipswich Town. All three received prison sentences and lifetime bans from football, though the bans were later lifted.

Totonero scandal (1980)

Scale: Over 1 billion lire (€500,000) circulated in illegal bets and bribes involving players and clubs in Italy.
Details: Italian football was rocked in 1980 by the “Totonero” scandal. Shopkeepers Alvaro Trinca and Massimo Cruciani revealed that several Serie A and Serie B players and clubs were involved in match-fixing to manipulate betting outcomes. Prominent clubs like AC Milan and Lazio were implicated, leading to their relegation to Serie B. Notable players, including Paolo Rossi, received bans, though Rossi’s was later reduced, allowing him to star in Italy’s 1982 World Cup victory.

The Disgrace of Gijón (1982)

Scale: While no direct money was exchanged, the reputational damage was immense.

Details: During the 1982 FIFA World Cup, West Germany and Austria faced off in a match that would later be dubbed the “.” Both teams were aware that a 1-0 victory for West Germany would see them both advance at the expense of Algeria. After an early German goal, the match saw minimal competitive effort, leading to suspicions of a tacit agreement. While no formal betting scandal was proven, the orchestrated nature of the game drew widespread condemnation and led FIFA to revise tournament rules to ensure the final group matches were played simultaneously.

The Floodlights affair (1997-1999)

Scale: Malaysian betting syndicates reportedly wagered millions on disrupted matches, though the exact bribe amounts remain unclear.
Details: In the late 1990s, a Malaysian-based betting syndicate attempted to manipulate English football matches by sabotaging stadium floodlights. The plan was to cause matches to be abandoned after half-time, ensuring that the current scoreline would stand for betting purposes. Incidents occurred at West Ham United and Crystal Palace. The scheme was uncovered in 1999 when the syndicate tried to bribe a Charlton Athletic groundsman to tamper with the floodlights, leading to arrests and the exposure of the plot.

Calciopoli scandal (2006)

Scale: Indirect financial gains were estimated in the tens of millions of euros for teams like Juventus through biased officiating that led to championship titles and European qualification.
Details: One of the most significant scandals in football history, the Calciopoli scandal, emerged in 2006. Investigations revealed that top Italian clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, and Fiorentina, were involved in selecting favorable referees to influence match outcomes. Juventus faced severe penalties, including relegation to Serie B and the stripping of two Serie A titles. The scandal led to widespread reforms in Italian football’s governance.

2009 European match-fixing scandal

Scale: Europol estimated €8 million in bribes and over €16 million in profits from rigged matches.
Details: In 2009, European football was hit by a massive match-fixing scandal involving approximately 200 matches across multiple countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. The scheme involved bribing players, coaches, and officials to manipulate match outcomes for betting profits. The scandal was uncovered through extensive investigations, leading to numerous arrests and highlighting the pervasive nature of match-fixing in European football.

Turkish match-fixing scandal (2011)

Scale: Millions of dollars in bribes were exchanged to manipulate results, particularly in the Turkish Süper Lig title race.
Details: In 2011, Turkish football was embroiled in a match-fixing scandal implicating several clubs, most notably Fenerbahçe. Club officials and players were accused of manipulating match results to secure the league title. Fenerbahçe was subsequently banned from European competitions, and numerous individuals faced legal consequences, leading to a significant upheaval in Turkish football.

Moses Swaibu and the English match-fixing ring (2013)

Scale: Bribes of £70,000 to £100,000 were reportedly offered for fixing lower-league matches.
Details: Former professional footballer was involved in a match-fixing ring targeting lower league English football matches. Swaibu and his associates attempted to influence match outcomes in exchange for financial gain. In 2015, he was convicted and sentenced to prison, shedding light on the vulnerabilities in lower-tier football.

Lucas Paquetá betting allegations (2023)

Scale: Alleged thousands of pounds in winnings were made through yellow card betting schemes involving acquaintances of Paquetá.
Details: In 2023, West Ham United midfielder faced allegations of spot-fixing, with claims that he deliberately received yellow cards in Premier League matches to benefit bettors, including his acquaintances. The Football Association (FA) launched an investigation, and Paquetá’s potential transfer to Manchester City was halted. The case underscored ongoing concerns about betting-related corruption in modern football.

Sandro Tonali’s gambling issues (2023)

Scale: Tonali reportedly placed bets totalling hundreds of thousands of euros, including matches involving his own teams.
Details: Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, playing for Newcastle United, was implicated in a betting scandal in 2023. Tonali admitted to placing bets on football matches, including those involving his own team. He received a ten-month ban from football, highlighting the ongoing challenges of addressing gambling among professional players.

These scandals highlight the vast amounts of money—both legitimate and illicit—that influence the beautiful game. From bribes in the thousands to profits in the millions, these incidents showcase the far-reaching consequences of corruption. The amount of money involved in match-fixing and betting manipulation continues to increase as betting syndicates grow in influence. These incidents serve as harsh reminders of the challenges that football faces in maintaining fair play, despite the ongoing efforts to reform the sport’s governance.

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