ZURICH, Sept 19: Criminal gangs are making long-term investments in match-fixing, purchasing clubs and organising referee training camps as part of their infiltration of football, FIFA’s security chief told Reuters in an interview.

Chris Eaton said that, as part of its response, FIFA wanted to provide witness protection for players who came forward when they were approached by match-fixers and would consider rehabilitation for those corrupted at a young age.

It would also set up a hotline open to anyone to provide information on suspicious behaviour.

“We want to manipulate the manipulators and intimidate the intimidators; they have to realise that we are serious and FIFA is going to protect its people, its sport against these people who have no conscience at all,” he said.

“Infiltration is a strong word but my assessment is that organised criminality has infiltrated at several levels of football for the precise purpose of making money from the enormous amount of gambling income which is now being generated.”

Buying clubs was a way for organised groups to control the results of matches, warned Eaton, who worked at Interpol for more than 12 years before joining FIFA.

“We’re seeing a trend for the purchase of low-level clubs and the movement of players and the trafficking of players,” he said, adding that this happened mainly in “less wealthy” countries.

“There is a significant trend in the trafficking of players, moving them into other leagues with a mentor, normally a player who comes from the same country or region, has a great deal of respect, is more than likely corrupted, who is able to influence these players.

“We’re seeing referees’ development schools and player development schools, some of which are clearly a front for criminals. They are investing long-term in the compromise of these players.—Reuters