BERLIN, March 11: The match-fixing scandal that has engulfed German professional football of late has led to the detention of the first player involved on Friday.

Former professional Steffen Karl, who has played for Borussia Dortmund and Berlin and has until recently been playing for FC Chemnitz in the German third division, has been held since Wednesday according to public prosecutors here.

Karl is being charged with fraud and attempted organised crime.

Also being held on the same charges is a Croat, named only as Ante S. with whom Karl had cooperated.

During a match against Paderborn in May 2004, Karl had been ordered to foul players of the opposing team so that disgraced German referee Robert Hoyzer could whistle for a penalty, which would then influence the result in favour of Paderborn, on which Ante S. had bet a significant sum of money.

Paderborn ended up winning the match 4-0. Two of those goals came thanks to penalties, although Karl was not the instigator of the fouls which led to Hoyzer awarding the spot kicks.

Karl, 35, is also suspected of attempting to bribe the goalkeeper of second division side Cottbus prior to their match against Paderborn on the last day of last season.

The keeper was allegedly offered 20,000 euros to commit fouls on the Paderborn players. Cottbus however went on to win the match 3-0.

Karl’s detention follows that of German referee Dominik Marks, who is suspected of similar charges to that of Karl, but is also suspected of money laundering.—AFP