Top Belgian clubs raided by police in match-fixing probe

A number of Belgium’s topflight clubs have been raided by police as part of a wideranging investigation into corruption, money laundering and match-fixing in Europe.

The federal prosecutor’s office in Brussels has confirmed 44 raids took place in Belgium and 13 more in France, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia.

As well as searching clubs, police are also questioning a number of individuals within the Belgian game, including certain agents, referees and a coach. The raids are part of an investigation begun in 2017 into suspicious financial activities in the Jupiler Pro League, Belgium’s top division.

Champions Club Brugge and the country’s two biggest clubs, Anderlecht and Standard Liege, are among those searched. Current league leaders Genk are reportedly another club to have been raided.

It is understood referee Sebastien Delferiere, who was due to officiate Saturday’s Nations League game between Georgia and Andorra, is being questioned and will be stood down from the fixture.