Georgia: eight referees detained for fixing the number of yellow and red cards during matches

Eight referees in Georgia have been detained in connection with fixing the number of yellow and red cards during matches, the Georgian MIA (Ministry of Internal Affairs) stated on 24/09/2014.

According to a statement on the MIA website, an investigation established that the referees "made an agreement with citizens in advance on the number of red and yellow cards to be shown during the match in return for certain amount of cash ($2500 to $5000; €1970 to €3930)." This enabled persons to make and win bets regarding the number of yellow and cards in matches.

The MIA stated the investigation is still in progress, and additional referees and other actors are under suspicion of being involved this yellow and red card fixing scheme.

The GFF (Georgian Football Federation) released a statement indicating they had requested law enforcement to investigate this matter based on "information received from UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) about suspicious matches in the Georgian national championship."

The detained referees face charges of commercial bribery, and could face prison…