Referees raided: The German soccer match-fixing scandal deepened yesterday with 25 players and officials now under investigation, writes Derek Scally in Berlin.
Police officers raided 32 premises in 10 German states yesterday, including the homes of three referees, in their investigation of alleged-bribe-taking to throw at least 10 matches.
Meanwhile, the lawyer for Robert Hoyzer, the 26-year-old second division referee at the centre of the investigation, has said the match-fixing scandal will continue to spread.
"Some people thought last week when all eyes were on Robert Hoyzer: 'We have found one, that's it, that's all. To be honest, I don't believe that at all," said Stephan Holthoff-Pfoertner to Die Zeit newspaper today. The match-fixing scandal began 10 days ago when Hoyzer was accused of betting on his own matches and fixing the result.
Police launched an investigation into last August's 4-2 victory by third-division Paderborn over then Bundesliga side Hamburger SV in the first round of the German Cup. With Hamburger SV leading 2-0, Hoyzer awarded Paderborn two questionable penalties and sent off a Hamburg player for insulting him.
Hoyzer initially denied the allegations, but later confessed he received €70,000 to manipulate the game from a Croatian betting syndicate in Berlin.The scandal threatens to overshadow Germany's preparation for next year's World Cup, tickets for which went on sale on the Internet on Tuesday.
Glad to be here?
New Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani has done little to endear himself to Blues fans by insisting he does not want to be in the city.
The Uruguay international signed on loan for the Premiership club from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna just minutes before Monday's transfer deadline.
Pandiani had fallen out of favour at the Riazor and did not enjoy a good relationship with manager Javier Irureta, and fired a parting shot at the under-fire coach.
The 28-year-old had been hoping to move to Italian Serie A club Fiorentina, but instead ended up at St Andrews. "I'm leaving Depor feeling very hurt," he said. "I hope I will not return. I wanted to go to Fiorentina but Deportivo - maybe on purpose - took time sending the fax, and I am in Birmingham - just where I didn't want to be."
Clemence ill
England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the English Football Association revealed yesterday. Clemence will miss England's training sessions next week before their friendly against Holland as he takes a break from work to receive treatment.
But he told the FA's website, www.thefa.com: "The news I have had from the doctors so far has been very positive and encouraging. I'm looking forward to getting the treatment out of the way and returning to work as soon as possible."
