Accused the player: “I have had an addiction”

Accused the player: “I have had an addiction”

The ex-Allsvenskan player earned a five-figure amount a month, but was stuck in an extensive gambling addiction. He is now being questioned in court on suspicion of bribery and gambling.
– I can openly say that I have had an addiction, he says in the district court.

TT The accused ex-Allsvenskan player on his way to court. Archive.Picture: Andreas Hillergren/TT The trial in the big match-fixing scandal is on its second day of negotiations and now the ex-Allsvenskan football player is being questioned in District Court Hall 4. He is charged with taking bribes and gambling in connection with an Allsvenskan match in the spring of 2019. Crimes that can result in a fine up to imprisonment for two years. In police interrogation, the player has told that he had an extensive gambling addiction and that he basically lost all his earned money. – I have played. I can openly say that I have had an addiction. It's not something I'm proud of, but it's true, the player says when questioned in court. – If you have lost so much money, it must be seen as an addiction, says the player, who has been suspended by the International Football Association since mid-February this year. (Fifa) for sports all over the world. Prosecutors claim that the player intentionally drew a warning in a match in the spring of 2019 and that he had to borrow SEK 300,000 in return from two other co-accused men, who are 31 and 34 years old. The two men are charged with bribery and cheating. The money landed on the player's account a few days after the match, but he himself claims that it is a regular loan without any demands for a consideration. Another man is charged with taking bribery and gambling.Facts

The accused

Ex-allsvenske player

Charged with bribery and gambling fraud. In a Allsvenskan football match in the spring of 2019, he received a yellow card. A few days before the match he had written a promissory note and a couple of days after the match the player received SEK 300,000 deposited in his account. Over 30 betting accounts had bet money that he would get a yellow card, in some cases in combination with a result of a match in division 3.

The goalkeeper

A 34-year-old man who is accused of taking bribes and gambling. Is a goalkeeper in a division 3 club and has received a total of around SEK 45,000 to influence the outcome of six league matches during the 2019 season. the money.

The 31-year-old

Charged with bribery and gambling. Must have paid 300,000 kronor to the ex-Allsvenskan player – something that the prosecutor considers is a bribe for the player to receive a yellow card in the Allsvenskan match. Must on six occasions have paid the goalkeeper to influence the outcome of six division 3 matches during the 2019 season. The sums vary between 2000 and 11,000 kronor – a total of 44,500 kronor. One of the matches has been part of a combination game with the Allsvenskan player receiving a warning. Claims that he got the money back from the goalkeeper in cash.

The 34-year-old

Charged with giving a bribe, alternatively aiding and abetting the same crime, and gambling. Must have bribed the ex-Allsvenskan player with 300,000 kronor to take a card or “with advice and deed promoted the act”, according to the indictment.

All deny the crime.

Sources: The indictment and the preliminary investigation report