Nigeria Vs Scotland Friendly Match To Be Investigated By Police Over Match Fixing Alert

Scotland's friendly against Nigeria in London on Wednesday night is being investigated by police after claims that attempts have been made to fix the match.






National Crime Agency officers, who investigate serious and organised crime, have tipped off world governing body FIFA over possible attempts to rig the fixture.




There is no suggestion of Gordon Strachan's Scotland players being involved in any potential scam. Neither is there a threat to Nigeria's pre-World Cup warm up at Fulham's Craven Cottage, where 10,000 Tartan Army footsoldiers are expected to be following their team.





However, SFA head of security Peter McLaughlin has been in touch with National Crime Agency for the last three days after the agency – Britain's equivalent of the FBI received general intelligence concerning the London clash.




The SFA declined to comment last night, but confirmed they are aware of the matter. Neither would the National Crime Agency offer a public comment.




The NCA take an interest in any intelligence from gambling commission and have told FIFA they have general information from the Asian betting markets suggesting a potential scam is
afoot – and hope to stop the activities in their tracks by issuing an alert.




The issue is returning to the fore ahead of World Cup warm-up matches expected to be targetted by match fixers acting on behalf of illegal betting syndicates in the Far East.





There have been a series of arrests following suspected attempts to fix matches in the lower English football leagues in recent months. There have also been allegations of illicit activity in
cricket.