By Kim Rahn
The investigation into match fixing in the nation’s professional volleyball league is widening to include more players, including those on women’s teams, following confessions and testimony from those involved.
Prosecutors at the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office said Friday that they were working with the military prosecution on allegations that athletes in the army team Sangmu rigged results in return for money.
The expansion comes about a week after three players from Suwon KEPCO 45, including two retired ones, were arrested on charges of match fixing. They allegedly made deliberate mistakes so that a broker could win through betting on a gambling website, and were given a share of the money in return.
“We’ve secured testimony that not only KEPCO players but also those from other teams took part in the match fixing,” a prosecutor said.
Sangmu is under the most suspicion, with the arrested trio having played for the side while performing their military service, with two more currently on the team confirmed to have been involved.
Prosecutors have referred the case of the current Sangmu players to the military prosecution.
With the probe intensifying, a member of the Samsung BlueFangs has confessed his past involvement in the scam.
The unidentified player, who rejoined Samsung this year after finishing his military service, said he took part in the match fixing while with Sangmu until last year. His club reported this to the Korean Volleyball Federation.
“As many players have been at Sangmu, there may be more athletes in other teams who were involved in the rigging previously,” the prosecutor said.
According to the prosecution, the arrested players said the match fixing took place not only during the 2009-2010 season but also during the last one.
They also testified that not only men but also women were involved. If confirmed, it will be the first match-fixing case in women’s professional sports here.
All this follows the massive match-fixing scandal in the professional football league last year, with dozens of players arrested and a couple even committing suicide.
The volleyball circle is paying close attention to the investigation, as it is not known yet when the scam started, how many players from what teams were involved, and whether the match fixing has taken place in the current season. It also remains to be seen whether the other professional sports will be investigated.