The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime

In Asia, Europe, and World Cups, journalist Hill risked death to interview murderous mobsters and manipulative middlemen who lavish gifts, women, and envelopes of cash "shopping and coffee money" on players, referees, and staff. As Oxford academic, he found fixed games statistics show more red cards (barely), early goals, and "nap"s. He suggests "more women and professional referees, better pensions and education benefits for players, an integrity unit in each soccer association made up of ex-policemen", and more. "Having heard all of this, you may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say that you did not know" - Wilberforce, 1789