Informants close to Malta's national water polo squad triggered probe
Insiders claim they witnessed alleged betting activity or overheard players discussing how it was carried out
The authorities have opened multiple investigations into Malta’s national water polo team after insiders came forward claiming they witnessed alleged betting activity or overheard players discussing how it was carried out, Times of Malta has learned.
Both the police and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) have launched separate investigations into the case, joining an ongoing probe by the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AIMS).
In reply to questions on Saturday, the police said they “received a formal report from AIMS and investigations commenced immediately”. The MGA said it was “looking into the matter”.
Times of Malta revealed on Friday that a number of water polo players playing for the national team are being investigated for allegedly betting on their own matches at the ongoing European Championships in Belgrade.
Sources said the players, believed to be around four in total, are suspected of having placed bets on the goal difference of Malta’s opening game against Montenegro on Saturday of last week.
They are suspected of having allegedly planned to manipulate the match in a way to ensure the final score met the specific requirements of their bets and win them the money.
Malta lost that match with a score of 21-12. The team’s subsequent match with France, which Malta lost with a score of 22-13, is also under scrutiny.
The team did, however, go on to win their match against Israel on Friday and convincingly beat Slovakia on Saturday.
On Sunday, Malta won its final match against Slovenia to finish 13th overall.
MGA reaching out to gaming companies
Sources said the MGA is currently reaching out to different gaming companies and websites to assess any unusual betting activity around the matches on which the players are suspected to have bet.
One of the suspected players is already “known to the authorities” for past suspicious activity.
The police are believed to have spoken to the MGA on Monday as part of the investigation.
If substantiated, the allegations would represent a serious blow to the reputation of Maltese water polo, particularly at a time when the sport has made significant progress and gained increased visibility on the international stage in recent years.
Meanwhile, Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA) president Karl Izzo said no official report had been filed with the ASA, but said he did hear the rumours.
In an interview on TVM on Friday, he said the association had not yet received any communication from the authorities about any investigations.
He said that after the match with France, he asked the players point-blank whether any of them were involved or knew anything; nobody came forward with information.
Asked by Times of Malta yesterday why he did not go to the authorities himself after hearing the rumours, he said he only had a duty to report “concrete” information, meaning when someone identifies a suspect.
He said he did, however, appoint a legal expert to represent the ASA and assist the authorities as need be in any investigations that ensue, and who will be able to investigate the case himself if necessary.
The national team is playing at the 100th anniversary edition of the Men’s European Water Polo Championship in Serbia.
Running from January 10 to 25, the tournament features 16 of Europe’s elite national teams, including traditional powerhouses like Spain and Hungary.