Dutch prosecutors open fraud probe

AMSTERDAM, May 18: Dutch prosecutors today said they were investigating possible soccer fraud in the Netherlands.

De Telegraaf newspaper reported prosecutors were investigating possible match-fixing and the bribery of players. A prosecutors' spokeswoman declined to elaborate on details of the investigation.

''The investigation is focusing on fraud and it is still in an early stage. Giving too many details would wake up certain people,'' she said. She declined to say which clubs were being investigated and in which leagues they were playing.

De Telegraaf said the probe was initiated after prosecutors discovered that some players' spending was not in line with their income.

Last year, German referee Robert Hoyzer was sentenced to two years five months in prison after admitting fixing matches.

Offices of Italian champions Juventus, who are subject to investigations into allegations of match-fixing, were searched today by local tax police.

REUTERS