FORMER BAYERN LEVERKUSEN OFFICIAL UNDER MATCH-FIXING INVESTIGATION

Adjust font size:

The former managing director of the Bundesliga club has been questioned by authorities in Cologne as part of an investigation looking into alleged match-fixing by the club. Reiner Calmund stepped down in mid-2004, but Reuters reports not before allegations surfaced that he made cash payments to fix three league games in 2002-03 to help the club avoid relegation.

Calmund has denied the allegations and his lawyers said that their client met with prosecutors for seven hours and refuted all claims. Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Calmund said he looked forward to being questioned because it would be like a “clearance” in football terms.

At the heart of the investigation is EUR 580,000 that is unaccounted for during 2002-03. Calmund said it was for options on buying players. However, in an interview with broadcaster N24, Cologne prosecutor Guenther Feld said: “Part of a written statement that was sent to us by Bayer Leverkusen revealed that the whereabouts of this EUR 580,000 could possibly be explained by match-fixing.”