Match-fixer testifies that he bribed referee in World Cup qualifying match

A convicted match-fixer testified that he bribed a Bosnian referee to fix a World Cup soccer qualifying match between Liechtenstein and Finland (video after the jump). But it’s all part of a probe that could uncover the biggest match-fixing scandal in European soccer. From the Huffington Post:

Prosecutors say more than 300 games are now suspected of having been fixed in various national and international competitions.

Ante Sapina told a German court trying four men on fraud charges that he met the referee, Novo Panic, in the parking lot of a Sarajevo hotel to discuss fixing the Sept. 9, 2009, qualifying match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Both Liechtenstein and Finland missed the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“I asked him if he could manage two goals in the second half,” Sapina told the court.

Both goals came in the second half, Finland’s after a disputed penalty.

“In the second half the referee awarded a penalty that was never one,” the 34-year-old Croat told the court.

Liechtenstein tied the match one minute later.

Sapina said he paid Panic $52,850 for fixing the match.

The charges are no surprise, actually; Panic was banned for life for his links to the match-fixing ring in February, 2010. But this could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Here’s video of the scoring highlights from the match in question. You’ll probably know better than I will if that first penalty is suspicious.

Is it my imagination, or is soccer the most corrupt sport in the world? Maybe by being the most popular sport, that comes with the territory?

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Liechtenstein-Finland World Cup Qualifier Fixed, Witness Says [Huffington Post]