Criminal Networks Target New Zealand Football with Match-Fixing Schemes

Organised crime groups are increasingly targeting New Zealand football through brazen match-fixing approaches, raising significant concerns among players and officials. Recent incidents highlight the lengths to which these groups will go to manipulate betting outcomes, posing a serious threat to the integrity of the sport in the region.

In a recent case, a New Zealand football player received a direct message via Instagram offering a “100% safe” opportunity in match-fixing, alongside a photo of cash bundles. The message, described by Andrew Scott-Howman, general counsel for the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association (NZPFA), as a low-level approach, underscores the bold tactics employed by criminal networks to engage with players.

Scott-Howman, who has been actively involved in raising awareness about the dangers of match-fixing, recounted several alarming incidents. During integrity training sessions for national league players, young athletes shared experiences of being approached by individuals posing as agents or offering lucrative contracts. In one instance, a player was approached by a man claiming to represent a Malaysian club, presenting a forged letter and an upfront payment for a trial. The businessman vanished when questioned, suggesting ulterior motives.

Another troubling case involved a player in Auckland who was contacted online by someone pretending to be a FIFA-accredited agent. The individual requested $5,000 for flights and costs related to a potential trial at a European club. This approach was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of a Serbian national who had stolen the identity of a real FIFA agent.

Scott-Howman emphasized that while these approaches did not explicitly request match-fixing, they reflect the grooming behavior used by organised crime. Offers of sponsorship, training gear, or social engagements serve as entry points. Once trust is established, players may be coerced into compromising their integrity in exchange for career advancement.

The issue of competition manipulation is compounded by the alarming amount of money wagered on the national league. According to data from the NZPFA, over $212 million was bet on the men’s national league last season through offshore betting platforms. This figure demonstrates the potential for corruption, as it does not include local A-League clubs like the Wellington Phoenix or Auckland FC.

Rebecca Rolls, chief executive of the Sport Integrity Commission, expressed concerns about the vulnerabilities inherent in New Zealand sports. The commission is tasked with overseeing threats such as doping, harassment, and competition manipulation. Rolls noted that the significant wagering activity could attract criminal attention, especially with the rise of microbetting options offered by international bookmakers.

Microbets allow punters to wager on minute events within games, making it easier for criminals to manipulate outcomes without affecting the final results. Declan Hill, an expert on sports corruption, describes spot-fixing as “the easiest form of corruption ever invented.” He warns that while betting agencies might not curtail these markets due to profitability, they pose substantial risks to sporting integrity.

Scott-Howman’s recent presentations to officials at the Sport Integrity Commission highlighted the urgent need for increased awareness and education regarding match-fixing. The staggering betting figures shocked many attendees, revealing a disconnect between the perceived safety of New Zealand sports and the actual risks involved.

Despite the troubling statistics, both NZ Football and Sportradar, a global sports technology firm, maintain that no suspicious matches have been detected in New Zealand’s domestic competitions. Sportradar’s monitoring system, which flagged over 1,100 suspicious matches globally, found only two in the Oceania region, suggesting a relatively low incidence of corruption. However, Hill cautions that sophisticated match-fixers often evade detection by spreading bets across multiple platforms and maintaining inconspicuous amounts.

To combat the growing threat of competition manipulation, the Sport Integrity Commission collaborates with local and international law enforcement agencies. NZ Football has implemented mandatory integrity training for players, coaches, and officials, aiming to foster understanding of the risks associated with match-fixing.

Despite these measures, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of online training compared to in-person sessions. The need for robust education in the wake of recent scandals, such as the involvement of Kiwi footballer Clayton Lewis in a yellow card manipulation scheme, is critical. Lewis’s case, linked to organised crime groups in Australia, serves as a cautionary tale for New Zealand sports administrators.

As the landscape of sports betting continues to evolve, the integration of live streaming and international betting markets presents new challenges. New Zealand’s unique time zone allows its sports to capture the attention of Asian gamblers, further increasing the risk of manipulation.

The threat of match-fixing and competition manipulation is a pressing issue that requires ongoing vigilance and education. Although no confirmed incidents have surfaced in New Zealand’s domestic leagues, officials and players must remain aware of the ever-present dangers posed by organised crime and betting-related corruption.