Former Dutch Star Kluivert In Betting Probe
Muhammad Rameez Published March 25, 2017 | 09:50 PM
THE HAGUE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Mar, 2017 ) : Former Dutch star Patrick Kluivert, currently director of football at French club Paris Saint-German, owed up to one million Euros to a criminal gang after racking up debts betting on football, a Dutch newspaper said Sunday.
De Volkskrant said the gang applied threats to pressure Kluivert in order to recoup the debt which he had repaid in part. The newspaper said investigators had no proof the former player was involved in illegal match-fixing and his lawyer was quoted as saying his client was "only a victim in this affair." Prosecutors arrested five suspects in February in connection with the affair and during their probe uncovered documents linking the gang to Kluivert, who was called in for questioning, but "purely as a witness," his lawyer Gerard Sprong insisted.
The newspaper, citing confidential judicial documents and anonymous sources, said Kluivert, the coach of Dutch club FC Twente's reserve team at the time, placed bets on the first team's games in 2011 and 2012.
The activity was not illegal at the time, the newspaper said, but the former Barcelona star striker lost heavily, and has since repaid part of the debt. However, the criminal gang was engaged in match-fixing, and applied "enormous pressure" on Kluivert" to repay the debt in full," the paper said.
It said the gang threatened to release a tape in which Kluivert, 40, a former assistant Dutch national coach, is heard discussing the debt. Contacted by AFP, Paris Saint-German said they had no comment on a matter "that does not directly concern the club."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
U.S. envoy calls on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
More Stories From Sports
-
O'Sullivan eyes eighth snooker world title amid more retirement talk
3 hours ago -
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
5 hours ago -
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
12 hours ago -
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
13 hours ago -
Former England Test batsman Raman Subba Row dies aged 92
16 hours ago -
Rybakina beats Kudermetova to reach last eight in Stuttgart
16 hours ago
-
Arsenal paid for 'big mistake' in Bayern defeat: Arteta
17 hours ago -
Matthews leads West Indies women to convincing victory over Pakistan in series opener
18 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
21 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
18 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
22 hours ago -
Azam experiences discomfort during Wednesday's training session
18 hours ago