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With the World Cup in Brazil just days away, the soccer that is europeanor football, depending on your country’s designation) industry is up in arms over those things of the little-known Belgian recreations integrity firm called Federbet.

In a presentation to the European Parliament this week, Federbet made claims about widespread match-fixing across several European leagues, accusations that have been slammed by sporting bodies, as well as the French and Italian gambling regulators, as being entirely unfounded.

While soccer has some concerns that are genuine attempts by East Asian gambling syndicates to fix certain aspects of games, often in the lower leagues, perplexity had been distributing this week about the data or shortage thereof of Federbet’s claims.

The leagues already use sophisticated technology that monitors and analyzes global betting areas and depend on the cooperation of gambling companies across the globe to report any dubious activity they find. Furthermore, while Federbet claims to represent 400 lovers through the gaming industry, its site fails to mention any names and it appears that few people inside the industry had been aware of them until this week.

No Evidence

England’s Football Conference ended up being quick to answer claims that ten matches had been fixed recently in its leagues: ‘At this right time there is no evidence that any of the fixtures specifically listed by Federbet, relating to your competition, have been the topic of report or investigation,’ it said. ‘Therefore we are in a loss to realize what evidence may exist for Federbet to make such claims.

‘Furthermore, included in the robust monitoring system utilized in England, such liaison is conducted with the Gambling Commission, leading wagering organizations and other agencies appointed by the Football Association,’ it included.

Meanwhile, among the teams accused of participating in a fixed game, Connah’s Quay Nomads, had this to say: ‘We read with absolute amazement the claims that a match involving space Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town was subject to a match fixing research. We deny all knowledge of any allegations and welcome any further information that justifies such a claim.’

In a interview with Gaming Intelligence, Khalid Ali the secretary general of the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) which works with over 20 major sports bodies, including FIFA, to root down corruption, was even more scathing.

Organization ‘Steeped in Secrecy’

‘No one in the European regulated betting industry is alert to who Federbet are or what they represent… They be seemingly a business steeped in secrecy… Establishing corruption is really a multi-sector partnership activity involving a commonly understood protocol with sporting figures and regulatory authorities which Federbet is ignoring. Only in co-operation with those other stakeholders can complete and proper investigations take place which can then determine whether corruption has occurred… Promoting unfounded allegations can wreck careers as well as the self- confidence in both betting markets and sporting activities with serious economic effects… It is not often which you see such a range of differing stakeholders challenging a business’s place in this fashion and that is telling in itself, ‘ said Ali.

It’s tough to understand whether Federbet is merely trying to take some publicity in build up towards the World Cup or is really a well-meaning but misguided organization. However, in reaction to the criticism, the organization posted the message that is following in French, on its website.

‘We are surprised by statements from the LFP (French Football League) and ARJEL (French gambling regulator) condemning us within the press. However, the aim is, and must remain, the fight against corruption and fraud. This fight cannot be completed without all of us moving in the same direction.’