A chief suspect in what officials have described as Europe's biggest soccer match-fixing scandal was released on bail Friday after 17 months in prison.
Ante Sapina was released on bail of $72,300 after providing a comprehensive confession to the court. He admitted bribing referees and players.
''Mr. Sapina is such an intelligent man, he knows that this is an opportunity he must use,'' said Stefan Conen, his defense lawyer.
Sapina is one of six men on trial this month, accused of fixing 47 soccer matches up to Champions League and World Cup qualifying levels. Sapina had testified that there was no clear organized leadership.
The case resumes against Sapina and five other defendants on May 5.
On Thursday, the court sentenced another three members of the betting ring to prison terms of up to three years, 11 months in a separate investigation.
In 2005, the 35-year-old Croat was convicted as the mastermind of a match-fixing ring and sentenced to 35 months in prison. Sapina was released early, and said he resumed betting on manipulated games shortly after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
