The finance ministry’s special investigations unit FIOD has arrested five suspects in an international investigation into match-fixing at football games.

The main suspects are a 34-year-old man from Rijswijk, a 40-year-old from Hilversum and a 40-year-old Dutchman who lives on Cyprus but was in The Hague.

The three are suspected of membership of a criminal organisation that arranges bets on football matches in the Netherlands.

Four houses were searched in the Netherlands and one on Cyprus at the request of the Dutch authorities. Computers, money, cars and luxury goods were seized, according to broadcaster Nos.

The public prosecutor said information had come from Germany that the man living on Cyprus is suspected of match-fixing in 2008 and 2009, including matches in the Netherlands.

Reaction

The Dutch football association KNVB said in a reaction they are encouraged by the actions of the FIOD. ‘The KNVB does all it can to stop manipulation of football matches, but the resources and authority of the finance ministry are necessary,’ a spokesman said.

A Dutch national who is suspected of fixing football matches was handed over to German justice ministry officials in January. Paul R is suspected of involvement in large-scale match-fixing in 2008 and 2009 and is considered to be a central figure in an international match-fixing ring.