Match Fixing: The Big Mafia Business

Match fixing has become a major concern in the world of sports. Behind the scenes, there is a dark underworld that manipulates sports outcomes to serve their own interests. This article dives deep into the intricate web of match fixing and uncovers the big mafia business that profits from it.

The Rise of Match Fixing

In recent years, match fixing has reached unprecedented levels, tarnishing the integrity of many sports. This unethical practice involves manipulating the outcome of a game to benefit those involved in illegal betting syndicates and organized crime groups.

What is fueling this rise in match fixing? The answer lies in the vast amounts of money that can be made through betting on sports matches. With the global sports betting market estimated to be worth billions of dollars, it has attracted the attention of criminal organizations.

MATCH FIXING: The Big Mafia Business

by Doug Morneau (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1395 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	122 pages

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These criminal organizations view match fixing as a lucrative business opportunity. They use their networks and connections to infiltrate the world of sports and bribe players, referees, and other key personnel to manipulate the outcome of matches. The profits made from these illicit activities often surpass those of drug trafficking and other illegal ventures.

The Mechanics of Match Fixing

Match fixing involves a complex web of conspiracies and secret arrangements. It starts with identifying vulnerable players or officials who can be easily manipulated. This could be due to financial difficulties, personal issues, or a desire for fame and fortune.

Once these individuals are identified, they are approached by match fixers who offer them bribes in exchange for manipulating the outcome of a game. These bribes can be in the form of cash, luxurious gifts, or even promises of a glamorous lifestyle. The individuals are often threatened with dire consequences if they refuse to comply.

The match fixers then work behind the scenes to manipulate various aspects of the game, such as the final score, the number of goals scored, or even the timing of specific events. They may also try to influence the decisions made by referees, ensuring that questionable calls favor their desired outcome.

The Role of Technology

Advances in technology have made match fixing even more difficult to detect. With the rise of online betting platforms, criminals can place bets from anywhere in the world, making it harder for authorities to trace the origins of illegal activities.

In addition, the use of encrypted communication channels and virtual currencies allows match fixers to operate in secrecy, further complicating the efforts to uncover their illicit activities. These technological advancements have made the fight against match fixing a challenging task for sports governing bodies and law enforcement agencies.

The Consequences of Match Fixing

Match fixing not only undermines the integrity of sports but also has severe consequences for various stakeholders. Fans lose faith in the authenticity of the games they love, sponsors withdraw their support, and broadcasters see a decline in viewership. The overall reputation of a sport can be irreparably damaged.

Furthermore, match fixing often has a significant impact on the lives of the players involved. Once they are caught, their careers are ruined, and they face social stigma and legal consequences. The ripple effects of match fixing extend beyond the realm of sports and into the lives of those connected to it.

The Fight Against Match Fixing

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, sports governing bodies and law enforcement agencies have stepped up their efforts to combat match fixing. They have implemented various measures to prevent and deter these illicit activities.

These measures include increased surveillance, investigative collaborations, and stricter legal frameworks. Sports organizations are also working towards creating awareness among players and officials about the dangers and consequences of engaging in match fixing. Education and training programs are being developed to sensitize individuals to the ethical implications of their actions.

Additionally, the of strict regulations and harsh penalties for those involved in match fixing has acted as a deterrent. The fear of severe consequences is gradually discouraging individuals from participating in the big mafia business of match fixing.

The Way Forward

While the fight against match fixing continues, it is imperative for sports fans, players, and authorities to stay vigilant. By reporting any suspicious activities and supporting efforts to eradicate match fixing, we can preserve the integrity and fairness of sports.

It is essential to keep pushing for stricter legislation and collaboration among different stakeholders to effectively combat this big mafia business. Only through collective efforts can we eliminate match fixing and restore trust in the games we cherish.

Match fixing, as we have seen, goes beyond the realm of sports. It is a big mafia business that thrives on exploiting the passion and dedication of millions of people around the world. By understanding its mechanics and consequences, we can unite in the fight against this dark underworld and protect the sports we love.

MATCH FIXING: The Big Mafia Business

by Doug Morneau (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1395 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	122 pages

FREE

“978-88-3324-087-9”

Passi di: “MATCH FIXING”. iBooks. Who is behind match fixing? How is it done, and to which aim? In 2015 we wrote for Minerva Edizioni Game Over: a report targeted at practitioners, and more specifically at investigators.  Since we did not want the book to be too ponderous, we provided a succinct description of a few topics that might have been interesting reading material even to  “non-professionals”.
These topics are dealt in depth in this volume: the history of match fixing, odd anecdotes and current state of affairs, the profile of its main characters and the explanation of the mechanisms (and complex motives) behind the swindle as well as the role played by the mafia.
You will not find any footnote: instead, the bibliography, at the end of the book, will provide you with book references as well as internet links, all relevant and interesting, although some of them, in our opinion, are a “must” for those who really wish to acquire a deep knowledge of the topic. This is why we highly recommend them to you.
The Fix by Declan Hill (2007) is a comprehensive book on the birth of modern match fixing and its close ties to the mafia. In 2014 Brett Forrest published The Big Fix where he recounts the never-ending fight between law enforcement and match fixers.  
But the real masterpieces on the subject are a book and... a very long judicial document. The book is the autobiography of one of the most notorious match fixers in the world: Wilson Raj Perumal, Kelong Kings, written by two Italian scholars, Alessandro Righi and Emanuele Piano. The judicial document is the ordinance issued by Cremona judge, Guido Salvini, in the maxi investigation on Scommessopoli that took place a few years ago (no doubt a less casual reading, yet dramatically concrete): hundreds of pages packed with wiretaps, explanatory notes of criminal mechanisms and charges that brought to its knees, at least for a while, match fixing in the Italian peninsula.
The only sources that we left in complete anonimity are those players, who over time have become our friends: they described to us the insider’s point of view, the existing dynamics in the dressing rooms, the problems and weaknesses of the athletes themselves, the ongoing match fixing techniques. At the beginning of this long journey we took their stories with a grain of salt, “perceiving” them as the fruit of their imagination...but this is not the case anymore! 
In reality football is not the only sport (nor was it the first) where match fixing took place: actually, in recent years other sport disciplines were targeted by match fixers. In this book we only hint at the story and trends of the swindle outside of football pitches, and yet it is in the world of football that the mafia invests massively its own resources, and where match fixing is not the sole objective of this criminal enterprise.   
One last remark: this is not a diatribe of a book, and where it was possible to report an event without mentioning the name of players who were disqualified or investigated, we did so: the only difference between them and many others (just as guilty as they were) lies in the simple fact that they got caught.