12 charged over illegal bets in water polo probe, but cleared of match fixing

An international investigation into the Malta national water polo team has cleared its members of match-fixing but has formally charged 11 players and one water polo official with illegal betting violations. 

The Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) within World Aquatics issued formal notices of charge on Tuesday, handing a series of suspensions, fines, and therapy mandates to 12 individuals after confirming that while no match outcomes were manipulated, the individuals repeatedly broke strict sport integrity rules. 

In a reaction to the results of the probe, the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA) said it was satisfied to see there was no manipulation of match results but pledged to strictly enforce all final decisions handed down by World Aquatics. 

The charges follow a six-month saga that began in January, when the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports (AIMS) flagged suspicious online gambling activity. 

The initial reports rocked the local sporting community with allegations that national team players were placing bets on their own tournament fixtures – specifically intending to manipulate goal differences in matches against heavyweights like Montenegro – while competing at the European Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

A subsequent Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) report revealed that up to 15 individuals were tied to a profits cluster of bets.

‘Illegal betting but no match-fixing’ 

In letters sent to the players on Tuesday, the AQIU said its investigation identified "no evidence of match-fixing, match manipulation, or any attempt to improperly influence the outcome of any match”, but it confirmed that the 12 individuals had clearly violated Article 15.1 of the World Aquatics integrity code by placing online wagers on water polo events while registered as active athletes or personnel. 

Athletes and other "covered persons" like coaches, referees, and team officials are strictly prohibited from betting on their own sport, and in many cases, any sport at all under their governing body's rules. 

The 12 individuals have been handed penalties but the AQIU has offered to significantly reduce or partially suspend those penalties if they admit their wrongdoings in writing by July 7. Times of Malta has seen the letters sent to the individuals.

Most players face a proposed three-month suspension from the sport. If they accept the charges early, the AQIU will fully suspend the ban. One player who placed a single wager of €2.25 faces a shorter one-month suspension, which will also be fully suspended upon early admission. 

Other players face harsher, four-month suspensions and fines ranging from $750 to $1,000. These penalties were increased because the individuals bet on matches within the very tournament they were competing in, or because they placed many bets. In their cases, early admission will reduce the ban to one month and will fully suspend the financial penalties. 

The water polo official faces a three-month suspension. If he accepts the charge by the deadline, the AQIU will fully suspend the ban, enforcing it only if another violation occurs within two years. 

Two separate players have been flagged to be struggling with gambling addictions, facing a four-month suspension which will be reduced to one month upon early admission. They must also submit a medical certificate by the end of this year to prove they are undergoing professional treatment to overcome the addiction. 

All individuals must also sign a five-year agreement to cooperate with the AQIU in educational initiatives to raise awareness against betting within the aquatics community. 

‘Measured reflection, rather than celebration’ – ASA 

In a reaction, the ASA noted the outcome of the probe with satisfaction. It said the findings are “consistent with the position the association has maintained throughout the process: that the integrity of competition in Maltese water polo has not been compromised”. 

However, it added that it was taking “seriously the fact that the investigation did identify betting-related activities by individuals bound by the Integrity Code”. 

“This outcome is a moment for measured reflection, rather than celebration. The absence of match-fixing is welcome, but the betting-related findings are a reminder that the rules to which our sport's participants are bound exist for a reason, and must be understood and respected,” ASA president Karl Izzo said. 

“The association’s focus now turns to prevention, education, and ensuring that the lessons of this episode translate into lasting change.” 

The ASA also said it was discussing hosting an international awareness-raising symposium on sports betting and integrity in Malta, in coordination with World Aquatics. 

It is also developing a comprehensive training and educational programme tailored for athletes, coaches, match officials, and support personnel.  

The upcoming initiatives are designed to cover the strict rules surrounding sports betting, the severe consequences of code breaches, and the specific support systems available to individuals who may be approached to engage in improper conduct.