Gibraltar at ‘grave risk’ of becoming a ‘breeding ground’ for football match fixing

GIBRALTAR football teams are at ‘grave risk’ of becoming a ‘breeding ground for criminals’ according to industry experts.

The British enclave has attracted the attention of match fixing officials after more than €4 million was gambled on matches in Gibraltar in the last year.

Betting industry experts are now predicting that the figure will multiply by 30 times in the near future as the Gibraltar FA continues its development after the national team was granted UEFA status.

“Gibraltar is at grave risk of match fixing,”  said Louis Wink, GFA security and integrity officer.

“In one year we have seen over €4 million bet on the Gibraltar First Division and cup matches. It could be a breeding ground for criminals.”

The GFA itself is running community workshops at the John Mackintosh Hall for local team players and officials focussing on the dangers of match fixing.

A worldwide clampdown on match-fixing has seen a number of Spanish La Liga teams investigated over the past few years.