More than 50 arrested in new Italian match-fixing probe

More than 50 people were arrested throughout Italy yesterday and more than 70 placed under investigation as part of a widespread match-fixing inquiry led by anti-Mafia prosecutors in the southern town of Catanzaro.
The sweep allegedly involves “dozens” of fixed matches in Italian football’s third and fourth division, police said.
Charges include criminal association aimed at sports fraud, with some linked to Mafia organizations — one in particular to the ‘ndrangheta organized crime syndicate. One police officer was involved, authorities said.
Catanzaro prosecutors allegedly have uncovered a network between footballers, coaches, club presidents and management members involving more than 30 clubs.
Police say clubs involved include Pro Patria, Barletta, Brindisi, L’Aquila, Neapolis Mugnano, Torres, Vigor-Lametia, Santarcangelo, Sorrento, Montalto, Puteolana, Akragas, and San Severo.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the sweep was linked to the Last Bet operation that has resulted in more than 100 people placed under investigation in Italy since mid-2011, with suspect Serie A and B matches being looked at by prosecutors in the cities of Cremona, Bari and Naples. AP