Three ex-players led match-fixing organization in Austrian leagues

Published Apr. 18, 2014 10:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

GRAZ, Austria (AP) In the biggest match-fixing scandal in Austrian soccer, three former players are accused of attempting to manipulate 18 national league games from 2004 to 2013 with bets of up to $415,000 a match.

Prosecutors say Sanel Kuljic, Dominique Taboga and Johannes Lamprecht formed a criminal organization and have been fixing matches in the country's first and second divisions.

Three of the 18 matches were played this season. All first-division games under suspicion include either Kapfenberg or Groedig, both former clubs of Taboga.

The trio and seven other unidentified persons have been charged. Prosecutors say investigations are ongoing and 15 more people could be charged.