SOURCE: www.timesonline.co.uk

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UEFA do not expect the investigation to be completed rapidly and the precedents confirm the difficulties in collecting evidence of collusion between gamblers and players or officials.

A 2004 UEFA Cup tie between Greek club Panionios and Dinamo Tblisi of Georgia that drew unusually high stakes – it finished 5-2, the scoreline attracting the heavy betting – is still awaiting the verdict of a UEFA disciplinary committee.

Last year, a match-fixing scandal hit Italy’s Serie A, with Juventus, relegated to the Italian second division and AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina deducted points after officials at each club were found to have been manipulating the appointment referees, referee’s assistants and refereeing administrators.

Belgium and Holland have confirmed that they will not drop their bid to host the 2018 World Cup to free up support across Europe for England’s campaign.

Mathieu Sprengers, the Dutch FA’s representative on the UEFA executive committee, said: “We are two of the founders of FIFA. Do you think after 100 years, we should step back and just let England go ahead?”

There is concern that too many European bids – Russia may also enter the race – could split the eight votes UEFA has on the 24-man FIFA committee and damage Europe’s hopes of hosting the tournament.

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