Claims that match-fixing in Dutch football is widespread should be investigated by the football association, not the government, sports minister Edith Schippers told MPs on Thursday.

Labour MPs had called for an investigation following claims in magazine Voetbal International about match-fixing and illegal gambling. They claim the Netherlands is the only country in Europe where match-fixing is not being researched.
Schippers told parliament she ‘cannot say definitely’ that players from poorer countries are not being used to fix matches, but said she is not aware of any cases, website nu.nl reported.
Voetbal International journalists Iwan van Duren and Tom Knipping were quoted as saying earlier by radio station BNR they are convinced matches are being manipulated by international gambling syndicates.
They point out that Dutch national Paul R is considered a key figure in a German match-fixing scandal.