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Police detain at least 4 in soccer gambling

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-25 19:19

SHENYANG, Northeast China - Chinese police have detained at least four people on suspicion of match-fixing and gambling in a nationwide crackdown on soccer corruption.

Related readings:  Interpol-wanted former player proves linchpin in match-fixing  Former club official: Bribery rampant in leagues  Match-fixing comes to light in nationwide crackdown

The Ministry of Public Security told Xinhua on Wednesday in the capital city of Liaoning province that they had detained a number of former players, soccer officials and club officials, including Wang Xin, Wang Po, Ding Zhe and Yang Xu, on suspicion of "manipulating domestic soccer matches through commercial bribery."

Some of them were also suspected of gambling through foreign websites, said the Ministry, which heads up the unprecedented large-scale investigation.

Police said Interpol-wanted former Liaoning Guangyuan team leader Wang Xin, together with former Shanxi club general manager Wang Po, swayed several First Division league matches since 2006.

The First Division is the second tier league in China.

Also dragged in the match-fixing scandal was current Chinese Super League team Guangzhou Pharmaceutical FC, promoted from the First Division in 2007 to the top flight.

The Ministry did not reveal how many people had been questioned in the probe or whether active players or big names were involved but said the investigation was still going on.