24 held in Spain for soccer match fixing

The Spanish National Police made 24 arrests on Monday in a wide-ranging operation against match fixing in Spanish football, local media reported.

The arrests are related to suspected corruption in the third and fourth tiers of the Spanish game (Segunda B and Tercera Division).

The National Police carried out raids in the cities of Jerez and Badajoz in south-west Spain, Albacete in central Spain, and Barcelona in north-east Spain. In addition to the arrests, they searched the offices of several clubs in an operation described as "ongoing".

The match fixing in Spain is reported to have been organized by two former footballers who persuaded other players to provoke situations, such as penalties and corner kicks, which betting ring members could then bet on during matches.

This is not the first time that lower levels of the Spanish game have been tainted by allegations of match fixing. In April of 2017, the coach and owner of former Segunda B side Eldense were detained after their side was defeated 12-0 in a game against FC Barcelona's B team.