[London, UK] Ongoing investigations into allegations of bribes, coercion and threats are shaking the foundation of the sport of soccer.

What began as a probe into the illegal activities by soccers players and teams in Germany and Switzerland, has now extended into Italy. Authorities investigating the match-fixing scandals are now convinced that the problem is Europe-wide and that more teams and countries will be found to have participated in the illegal outcomes.

The most recent arrest of nine individuals in Italy suspected of either arranging or benefiting from the fixed games, includes the arrest of Giuseppe Postiglione, the Potenza SC club president. Postiglione is accused of betting against his own team and earning more than $100,000 US dollars after one specific game between Ravenna and Lecce in 2008.

In Germany and Switzerland, nearly twenty individuals have now been arrested in connection to similar charges of match-fixing and illegal betting.

The UEFA governing body are disappointed by the international investigations, but remain confident that continual collaboration with authorities will help put this mess to rest.

by Paul McGregor