Premier League footballers are reportedly involved in match-fixing, according to a top Swedish police officer who uncovered an illegal betting ring.
Premier League players accused of match-fixing
Fredrik Gardare, who led a Swedish police team tackling organised crime in sports, said evidence emerged during a casino raid.
Gardare previously headed an 18-month investigation that exposed ex-Manchester City and Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu for bribery related to match-fixing in Sweden.
The revelations have raised questions over whether the Football Association will launch an investigation. However, the Daily Mail reports that Swedish police have not formally shared their findings with the FA.
Inspector Gardare told the outlet: “There was more than one Premier League player involved. Betting on yellow cards, corners and other aspects in matches. We also gave the information to the football federation here in Sweden directly and said, ‘This is serious.’ Hopefully they called the English FA, but I don’t know.”
He added: “This is important for both Swedish football and football in several countries. It’s important for England and international football to stop ongoing match-fixing.”
Fredrik Gardare’s track record in football investigation
Gardare’s experience in high-profile cases lends weight to his claims. He led the investigation into Etuhu, the Nigerian international who was found guilty of bribery and banned from football in Sweden for five years.
Gardare’s most recent probe, after months of intelligence-gathering, culminated in a raid on an illegal casino in 2021, targeting a network of match-fixers.
Police seized multiple phones, with one in particular reportedly containing extensive Telegram evidence of players manipulating matches across various European leagues—and even in international fixtures. The Swedish investigator said multiple Premier League stars appeared in the evidence.
Despite the potentially damning information, Gardare said Swedish authorities chose not to pursue the investigation further.
He now wants the relevant authorities to address the unanswered questions, noting that the seized phones containing crucial evidence remain in police custody.
Premier League reacts to damning match-fixing allegations
The casino raid was the unit’s final investigation before it was disbanded.
A Premier League spokesperson told The Sun: “This is not a matter that the Premier League is aware of. Rules related to this subject, and the governance thereof, are within The Football Association’s regulatory remit, and as such your enquiry is best directed to them.”