A man has been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing in the League of Ireland.
The man in his 20s was arrested earlier today after a search was carried out in the south of the country.
Specialist detectives from the Anti Bribery and Corruption Unit took part in the search with support from local Gardaí.
He's being detained at a Garda Station in the Southern Region, where he can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
It's part of Operation Brookweed, which was set up by Gardai in 2019, following reports of suspected match-fixing received from the FAI and UEFA.
Operation Brookweed
Today's arrest brings the total number under this operation to 15.
Operation Brookweed stems from an investigation by the Anti Bribery and Corruption Unit in 2019.
It was launched after reports of suspected match fixing were received by the FAI and UEFA (Europe's football governing body.)
Gardaí are continuing to investigate these reports with assistance from INTERPOL.
Detective Superintendent Catharina Gunne, from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, says match fixing is a "threat" to sports at all levels.
"It can allow organised crime to infiltrate sport in order to use it to make illicit gains or launder proceeds of crime," the Detective Superintendent continued.
DS Gunne continued, and committed "proactive action" to disrupt any criminality like this.
"Match-fixers prey on young and vulnerable players in order to corrupt them for their ends."
Detective Superintendent Gunne has reminded everyone a conviction for involvement in match fixing could potentially end in a jail sentence.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal for information in connection with sports corruption.
Anyone who can help should contact the below lines in confidence:
- The Bribery and Corruption Confidential Reporting line: 1800 40 60 80.
- The Garda Confidential Line: 1800 666 111
- Or to their local Garda Station
