A Dutch television production company has been trying to persuade Dutch footballers to fix matches in both the premier and Jupiler leagues, the Telegraaf says on Tuesday.

The Dutch football association KNVB has written to club directors and referees warning them about the attempt to fix games, which was made at the beginning of December last year.

The public prosecution department is also investigating the claims after being alerted by the football association. It was tipped off by a player who had been approached by the company.

Manipulation

‘There is a difference between unmasking someone who is guilty and manipulating or ringing up players to try and get them to fix a game,’ the KNVB said in a statement.

‘In the first scenario, the programme is contributing to a solution; in the second it is creating a problem which will then be broadcast. Our information would indicate this is about the second option.’

The production company, named by the Telegraaf as CCCP, has not yet commented on the claims. The KNVB said it did not yet know if any players had agreed to fix a game for the television programme.