PFA vow over match fixing

FOOTBALL BOSSES have vowed to continue to work to eradicate match-fixing from the game, as six players were arrested as part of an investigation.

Blackburn R ove r s striker DJ Campbell and five other players were detained by the National Crime Agency (NCA) after information was passed to it by the Sun on Sunday newspaper.

All six players have been bailed until April.

It is believed the other players are Oldham Athletic’s Christian Montano, Portsmouth’s Sam Sodje, his brother Akpo, who plays for Tranmere Rovers, Steven Sodje and Ian Goodison.

The Professional Footballers’ Association ( P FA ) released a statement saying: “These allegations, if proven, unfortunately demonstrate the real issue football faces in terms of corruption and highlights the necessity of the work carried out by the PFA and other stakeholders in the game in educating players of these risks.

“We take the issue of integrity very seriously and will continue in our efforts to eradicate this evil from our game.

“In terms of these specific reports, due to the ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

The Football Association (FA) said it was working closely with the NCA and other authorities while Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said it treated any allegations of criminal activity in its competitions with “the utmost seriousness”.

An NCA spokesman said: “The NCA can confirm that the Sun on Sunday has passed material from its own investigation to the National Crime Agency.

“An active NCA investigation is now under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission.

“Five people were arrested on Sunday morning, and bailed that evening until April 2014. A sixth individual was arrested on Sunday evening and is being questioned by NCA officers.

“No further detail is available at this stage.”

The NCA is already carrying out a separate investigation into an alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun were charged last week with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law.

The pair, who played for Conference South club Whitehawk FC in Brighton, were dismissed by their club and will appear in court today.