Singapore authorities have made a major breakthrough in the global fight against football match-fixing with the arrest of 14 individuals, including Dan Tan Seet Eng — better known as Dan Tan — the alleged mastermind behind a worldwide fixing network.
The arrests mark a significant development in a saga that has been unfolding for years. Earlier, European investigators uncovered a vast match-fixing operation reportedly headquartered in Singapore, responsible for attempting to manipulate up to 680 football matches between 2008 and 2011. These included local league games, national tournaments, and even World Cup qualifiers.
International Cooperation Pays Off
Under mounting international pressure, Singaporean police eventually collaborated with Interpol, leading to the arrests of 12 men and two women this week. Authorities confirmed all suspects are Singaporean nationals, aged between 38 and 60, though none were officially named.
“While Singapore was initially criticized for being slow to act, it’s now clear that local authorities have conducted a thorough investigation based on European intelligence,” said journalist Neil Humphreys, who has extensively covered the issue.
Legal Hurdles Avoided
Prosecuting the suspects in Singapore could sidestep complex extradition issues, particularly since Singapore has no extradition treaty with Italy, where much of the initial investigation took place. Italian authorities had already issued a warrant for Tan, but had been unable to detain him until now.
“Singaporean authorities have taken an important step in cracking down on an international match-fixing syndicate,” said Interpol Secretary-General Ronald Noble. “No one should doubt Singapore’s commitment to fighting match-fixing.”
Ongoing Threat
Despite the arrests, experts warn that match-fixing remains a persistent threat. Humphreys noted that several other syndicates are believed to be active in Singapore, calling this “a promising beginning, but the end is still nowhere in sight.”
The global football community now watches closely as Singapore’s justice system prepares to confront one of the sport’s most notorious corruption scandals.
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