There is a ‘very real chance’ that Dutch football is embroiled in major match-fixing, Labour MP Jeroen Recourt says in Wednesday’s NRC. The MP says tips point to corruption centering on the Jupiler League (first division).

On Tuesday, sports minister Edith Schippers reversed her earlier position and agreed after all to hold an investigation into corruption and match-fixing in Dutch sport, a week after refusing to do so.
Nos television reported on Monday evening the minister had agreed to the move after consultations with justice minister Ivo Opstelten.
Corruption
The change of heart was prompted by an international meeting on corruption in sport in Copenhagen and the recent match-fixing scandal in Italy, Nos says.
Recourt claims to have being given ‘multiple’ tips about match-fixing in the Netherlands but declined to give further information.
The information shows that corruption ‘has at least been an issue’, he told the paper. Recourt also points out that a Dutch national is considered a key figure in a German match-fixing scandal.
Witnesses
A formal inquiry would enable witnesses to be heard under oath. ‘Only then will you really find out what happened,’ Recourt said. He also wants the football association to tighten up the rules covering betting and ban players from betting on matches in the same division.
A spokesman for the football association said tightening up the gambling rules would be symbolic but do nothing to end possible corruption.
The investigation will be carried out together with the KNVB football association the NOC*NSF athletics federation and gambling organisations, Schippers said.