Lierse staff quizzed

ByReuters

Published 16/02/2006 at 16:42 GMT

Two players and a coach from Belgian club Lierse had their homes searched by police as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing, a government spokesman said on Thursday. "I can confirm that police raided the houses of the people in question and

FOOTBALL 2005-2006 Belgium - Jupiler Lge Lierse SK Laurent Fassotte

Image credit: Imago

"They have since been released pending further investigation," he added.

Lierse said on Thursday that defender Laurent Fassotte, goalkeeper Cliff Mardulier and goalkeeping coach Patrick Deman had been suspended by the club until further notice.

"We will be holding a press conference tonight (Thursday) when we will reveal more," Lierse general manager Danny Araf told Reuters.

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"But these people are suspended for the time being."

Belgian police opened an investigation into alleged match-fixing in November after reports of unusually heavy betting on Belgian matches.

Lierse is one of the clubs under investigation after losing 4-0 to Germinal Beerschot on Nov. 5, the spokesman for the prosecutor said.

The Belgian FA announced last week that it was launching its own investigation following a programme aired by national broadcaster VRT on Sunday alleged match-fixing in seven first division matches this season.

The programme alleged 14 players and coaches from several teams were linked to a Shanghai-based gambling ring. All the clubs named deny any wrongdoing.

Jean-Marie Philips, chairman of the Belgian Professional League, said last week that any club found guilty of any involvement faced the prospect of expulsion from the professional game.

The first investigation into possible match-fixing came after internet betting exchange Betfair logged heavy betting patterns for La Louviere's 3-1 win over St Truiden on Oct. 29.

Bets totalling 400,000 euros were staked, about 20 times above average. La Louviere deny any involvement.

St Truiden, who also deny any involvement, have since had their players sign a declaration that they will not bet on any of their games or give out team information.

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