The Cheat Sheet - A Roundup of Sports, Gambling and Crime News - March 4, 2025
Match-fixing in US college basketball, kidnapped Cameroonian goalkeepers, scared Japanese sumo wrestlers, Colombian gamblers fixing Mexican matches - just another week on the Cheat Sheet.
The Cheat Sheet - March 4, 2025 - Issue 8
The weekly briefing for developments in sports, gambling, and crime all around the world
FOOTBALL
BRAZIL – Botafogo owner John Textor pays record fine to settle match-fixing claims
Botafogo owner John Textor has agreed to pay a record R$1 million fine to Brazil’s Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), resolving allegations stemming from his own accusations of match manipulation. In March 2024, Textor publicly claimed to possess evidence of match-fixing, particularly highlighting a Brazilian Championship game between Palmeiras and São Paulo. However, after reviewing Textor's submissions, the STJD ruled the evidence unconvincing. The fine—historically the largest ever issued by the STJD—was proposed by Textor’s defense to avoid a trial.
CAMEROON - Victoria United president accused of kidnapping and torturing goalkeeper over match-fixing claims
Valentin Nkwain, president of Victoria United, faces severe allegations of kidnapping and torturing goalkeeper Eric Parfait Djomeni, accusing the 19-year-old of match-fixing and illegal betting. After failing to extract a confession at a police station, Nkwain allegedly ordered armed men to abduct and torture Djomeni at an unknown location, forcing him to falsely admit wrongdoing. Nkwain is a known ally of Cameroon FA president Samuel Eto’o.
FRANCE – Marseille president Pablo Longoria banned 15 matches for corruption accusations
Marseille president Pablo Longoria received a heavy 15-match suspension after accusing French referees of corruption following a 3-0 defeat against Auxerre. Longoria alleged referees deliberately targeted Marseille, describing their actions as "true corruption" and hinting at an organized conspiracy. These comments drew swift condemnation from the referees' union and disciplinary action from Ligue 1, banning Longoria from all official functions, including access to dressing rooms, benches, and field areas. Referee Jérémy Stinat reported receiving death threats, and French referees have warned they may "withdraw" from games if their safety continues to be threatened
MEXICO - Real Apodaca scandal tip of the iceberg for Mexico match-fixing
Mexican football faces a major integrity crisis after seven players received cumulative suspensions totaling 57 years for match-fixing. The unprecedented punishments followed leaked video evidence showing Real Apodaca (Liga Premier MX) and Correcaminos players conspiring with foreign bettors to manipulate game outcomes. In the recording, Francisco Tede, who received a 16-year ban, explicitly discussed fixing match results, later expressing fear for his safety. A group of Colombian gamblers may be implicated in manipulating results within the country's third division.
NORTHERN CYPRUS - Club president Hakan Törehan faces trial for match-fixing, money laundering
Hakan Törehan, president of Değirmenlik Sports Club, appeared in Kyrenia District Court alongside co-defendants Berk Osmanlılar and Hülya Hacıoğlu, facing serious charges linked to a high-profile match-fixing scandal. Allegations include money laundering, operating illegal online gambling, and facilitating betting via electronic platforms. Törehan, previously suspended by the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation (KTFF), has a history of similar offenses.
NORTH MACEDONIA – Police raid Macedonian Football Federation headquarters in major match-fixing investigation
Police have raided the headquarters of the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) as part of an extensive investigation into match-fixing allegations involving several clubs and officials. Authorities targeted potential match manipulations across top-tier and second-division teams, including FC Skopje, Makedonija Gjorce Petrov, Voska Sport, Akademia Pandev (Brera Strumica), Sileksi, Pobeda, and Arsimi.
PARAGUAY - Tacuary FC and former manager accuse each other of match-fixing, fraud
Paraguayan club Tacuary FC and former manager Regis Marques have exchanged serious corruption allegations following Marques’ controversial exit. Vice-president Jorge Cáceres accused Marques of financial mismanagement, including using bounced checks used to pay players. Marques retaliated by accusing Tacuary officials, notably Cáceres, of embezzling 250 million guaraníes ($31,600) from club accounts and bribing referees for favorable results.
RUSSIA - Russian agent Vadim Shpinyev's apartment raided in transfer investigation
Russian authorities searched football agent Vadim Shpinyev’s home on February 25, confiscating computers and documents linked to midfielder Sergey Babkin's transfer to Krylia Sovetov Samara. This raid stems from a criminal investigation initiated after Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev accused Krylia Sovetov officials of owing 36 million rubles ($400,000) to individuals suspected of involvement in referee corruption.
SOUTH KOREA – Controversial Chung Mong-gyu re-elected despite match-fixing pardon scandal
Chung Mong-gyu has been re-elected president of the Korea Football Association (KFA) for a fourth term despite widespread criticism, securing around 85% of votes. Chung faced backlash for attempting to pardon players banned for life over match-fixing, as well as for appointing Jurgen Klinsmann as national coach through questionable procedures. The sports ministry previously investigated his opaque appointment of current coach Hong Myung-bo.
ATHLETICS
KENYA – Marathon champion Brimin Kipkorir suspended for EPO doping
Kenyan marathon runner Brimin Kipkorir has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substances EPO and furosemide, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Kipkorir, who notably set a course record in winning the 2024 Sydney Marathon and previously secured back-to-back victories in Frankfurt, tested positive during an out-of-competition test conducted in November 2024. The suspension adds to Kenya’s troubling trend of doping violations among elite marathon runners.
BASEBALL
JAPAN – Baseball rocked by online gambling scandal, sparking fears of match-fixing crisis
Japanese broadcaster Ijuin Hikaru warned that illegal online casino gambling, now involving baseball players, risks triggering a modern repeat of Japan's infamous "Black Mist Incident"—a devastating 1969-1971 match-fixing scandal in which players from the Nishitetsu Lions deliberately lost games for gambling profits. The warning comes after Orix Buffaloes pitcher Taisuke Yamaoka admitted to gambling online, raising concerns players could again be blackmailed or coerced into manipulating game outcomes.
BASKETBALL
HONG KONG – Government considers legalizing basketball betting to combat vast illegal market
Hong Kong announced plans to explore regulating basketball betting due to a surge in illegal wagers totaling between HK$70-90 billion last year. The government has invited the Hong Kong Jockey Club to submit detailed proposals, referencing its successful management of regulated gambling activities like horse racing and football.
USA - Massive Point-Shaving Scandal Hits Pro and College Basketball
Federal authorities have uncovered a major gambling and point-shaving scandal involving former NBA player Jontay Porter, gambling figure Shane Hennen, and possibly NBA star Terry Rozier. Porter, who admitted sabotaging his own performances to settle gambling debts, pleaded guilty to federal charges and was banned from the NBA for life. The scandal also implicates college basketball, with suspicious betting patterns identified in games involving Temple, Eastern Michigan, North Carolina A&T, and Mississippi Valley State. Hennen allegedly orchestrated millions in fraudulent wagers, using networks of proxy bettors.
ESPORTS
CHINA - Top CS:GO team under ESIC investigation for match-fixing, claims commentator
Well-known Chinese esports commentator Yunqing "Searph" Hu revealed that a prominent top-30 CS:GO team is under investigation by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) for alleged match-fixing during the 2024 ESL Pro League. Searph stated that ESIC expects the investigation to span several weeks and added that organizers of upcoming tournaments involving the implicated team have been informed and are prepared to enforce an immediate ban if necessary. The specific team's identity remains undisclosed.
GAMBLING
AUSTRALIA – AFL admits it has lost control of gambling oversight
The Australian Football League (AFL) has admitted to critical weaknesses in its integrity monitoring of online gambling, revealing it struggles to detect if players, coaches, and staff misuse inside information to manipulate betting markets. Leaked AFL documents show concerns over "unprecedented" integrity risks due to a surge in online betting post-pandemic, involving over 80 bookmakers. Cases cited include an umpire allegedly leaking match outcomes and a player betting on undisclosed team changes. The AFL plans a controversial overhaul—forcing bookmakers to share extensive betting data with a centralized, AI-monitored database—but faces intense opposition over privacy concerns.
MEXICO – Sports betting generates up to $5 billion annually, fueling match-fixing fears
A recent study revealed Mexico’s football leagues generate around $5 billion annually from global sports betting, with 65-75% originating in Asia. This surge has triggered growing concerns about match-fixing, especially in lower divisions such as Liga de Expansión and Liga Premier. According to Integrity in Action’s 2024 Global Analysis & Trends, approximately 59% of Mexican match-fixing incidents occur in second and third-tier leagues.
SINGAPORE – Indonesian over illegal gambling funds destined for Cambodia
A 35-year-old Indonesian man was arrested in Singapore after attempting to enter with undeclared cash intended for illegal gambling operations in Cambodia. Authorities intercepted the suspect at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on February 17, seizing $20,000 which he had failed to declare. Singapore's Commercial Affairs Department found that the money was payment for advertising illegal online gambling platforms targeting Indonesian citizens, managed from Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
UK – Affordability checks push bettors towards black market operators
A sharp rise in UK bookmakers' affordability checks is driving more bettors towards unregulated betting operators, reveals a Racing Post survey of 10,000 gamblers. The proportion of bettors subjected to financial risk assessments rose from 16.6% in 2023 to nearly 24% in 2025, significantly affecting even lower-stakes bettors. About a third of high-stakes gamblers admitted using illegal bookmakers, while the overall use of black-market operators increased from 3.6% to 4.9%. This shift is largely due to bettors' reluctance to provide financial documentation, with 61% refusing to comply.
MATCH-FIXING
NETHERLANDS - Number of match-fixing reports doubled in 2024
Reports of suspected match-fixing in the Netherlands more than doubled in 2024, rising from six cases in 2023 to 13 last year, according to the Netherlands Gambling Authority. The regulator attributes this spike partly to greater awareness of the obligation for operators to report suspicious activity to the Financial Intelligence Unit. Tennis betting dominated, accounting for ten of the 13 reports, with football and basketball making up the remainder.
SUMO
JAPAN – Former sumo star reveals new details on widespread match-fixing
Former komusubi-ranked sumo wrestler Meigetsuin Hidemasa exposed rampant alleged match-fixing in professional sumo during an interview on retired wrestler Takatoriki's YouTube channel. Meigetsuin detailed the "going rates," claiming top-tier wrestlers (yokozuna, ozeki, makuuchi) fixed matches for up to ¥800,000 ($5,300), with lower divisions around ¥500,000. He confessed to recording all match-fixing transactions from age 27 to 34.
WRESTLING
RUSSIA – Russian wrestling star Irina Ologonova suspended in doping scandal
Russian wrestler Irina Ologonova, a three-time World Championship silver medalist, has been provisionally suspended due to doping violations dating back to 2014. The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed that evidence from the Moscow lab database (LIMS), acquired by WADA, led to her suspension effective from April 24, 2024. Ologonova last competed at the European Championship in February 2024, failing to secure a medal.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE READING
ESPORTS - Cheating? Match Fixing? The Open Secrets Of CS2's Online Tournaments
HORSE-RACING - Unintended Consequences? Traffic Analysis Shows Significant Rise in UK Visits to Unlicensed Betting Websites Offering Racing