'Bribery' In Football: What Are The Legal Consequences?

The top story in the UK media today is about alleged corruption in English football. Someone said to be a "fixer" for betting syndicates was secretly recorded boasting that the results of English lower-league matches and even international matches could be bought, once the price was right. Six people, including three players, have been arrested by the UK's new National Crime Agency. There are lots of details in the Daily Telegraph.

We won't comment on the details of this case at the moment. But it's interesting to consider the legal implications of match-fixing in general, both in criminal and civil law.

The applicable criminal laws will be the Bribery Act and perhaps its predecessor, the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with fraud , money-laundering and conspiracy offences. The Bribery Act carries a maximum sentence of ten years and large fines are also available to the courts.

In civil law of course rogue employees would be subject to disciplinary procedures and the special penalties imposed by the football authorities. If any clubs were complicit they could face major fines, points-deductions, possible relegation and...