A Dutch national who is suspected of fixing football matches was handed over to German justice ministry officials on Tuesday.

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.

R has denied any involvement but admits to being an active gambler, news agency ANP says.

A last-minute attempt to halt the extradition on Tuesday morning failed. His lawyers say it is unclear what will happen to him in Germany because no court case or hearings are as yet on the agenda.

The man, known as ‘Rooie Paul’, comes from Noordwijk and was in jail in the Netherlands for fencing stolen paintings. He is currently appealing against that sentence.

According to Voetbal International, German player René Schnitzler claims he was offered thousands of euros by R to throw a match for his old club FC Sankt Pauli.