[The Temptation of Match-Fixing]⑥ 'Shock and Betrayal' Reviewing Major Incidents

They said to look again at even extinguished fires. Past match-fixing cases must be revisited. Experts say this is the only way to properly eradicate and prevent them. Some incidents still circulate among sports fans with shock and fear. To reflect and remember, we have summarized major domestic and international match-fixing cases.

1919 MLB 'Black Sox Scandal'

This was a match-fixing incident that occurred during the 1919 World Series in the United States. It is regarded as the first and worst match-fixing scandal in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). It also earned the infamous name 'Black Sox Scandal.' Chicago White Sox players, including Chick Gandil, who was considered the best first baseman at the time, were found to have accepted requests from gamblers to deliberately lose to the Cincinnati Reds. The White Sox lost to the Reds 3 wins and 5 losses due to their match-fixing. When suspicions of match-fixing arose, the police began an investigation in September 1920, uncovering the crime. All eight White Sox players involved in the match-fixing were permanently banned.

Chicago White Sox players during the 1919 Black Sox Scandal

2006 Italy 'Calciopoli'

This was the largest match-fixing scandal that shook Italian football in 2006. In Italy, it is called 'Calciopoli (Football Gate).' Luciano Moggi, while serving as Juventus general manager, was found to have used connections with key figures in football and the media to pressure referee assignments, attack referees who made unfavorable decisions, lobby investigative agencies to avoid tax audits, and illegally intervene in transfer negotiations. As a result of this incident, Juventus was relegated to the second division, and other involved clubs such as AC Milan, SS Lazio, Fiorentina, and Reggina 1914 were penalized with point deductions. Moggi received a 5-year suspension and a permanent ban within 5 years from the federation. He also faced criminal trials. Although he was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months in prison in the first trial, the second trial and the Supreme Court overturned the verdict, citing the statute of limitations for the match-fixing case. However, the Supreme Court's ruling acknowledged the entirety of the match-fixing crimes.

2010 StarCraft Match-Fixing

This was the first large-scale match-fixing incident in Korean sports. Professional gamers, coaches, and managers received proposals from illegal betting site operators and deliberately lost matches to fix outcomes. It was revealed that match-fixing had been secretly occurring since 2008. The incident involved not only first-team starters but also second-team players extensively. Famous pro gamers of the time, such as Ma Jae-yoon and Won Jong-seo, were confirmed to have participated, shocking fans.

2011 Large-Scale Match-Fixing by Professional Football Players

This match-fixing case came to light after the death of Incheon United goalkeeper Yoon Ki-won in May 2011, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by burning charcoal briquettes in his car. The Changwon District Prosecutors' Office Special Investigation Division conducted extensive investigations into brokers and players involved in match-fixing suspicions, revealing widespread match-fixing in regular leagues and cup competitions. As a result, the federation permanently banned 47 individuals, including 40 players such as Choi Sung-guk and 7 brokers.

Lee Tae-yang (left) and Moon Woo-ram, who were permanently disqualified by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on charges of match-fixing, held a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, in December 2018. Moon Woo-ram is tearful during the conference. [Image source=Yonhap News]

2012 and 2016 Professional Baseball Match-Fixing

Sports officials and experts rank professional baseball match-fixing as the most shocking match-fixing incidents. Because baseball is Korea's most popular sport, the aftermath was severe. The professional baseball match-fixing cases were indirectly and directly connected through the same brokers. The first professional baseball match-fixing was uncovered in 2012. Brokers involved revealed that betting was conducted on records unrelated to the outcome, such as 'first walk given,' to recruit starting pitchers and fix matches. Park Hyun-jun and Kim Sung-hyun were charged with match-fixing; Park was indicted without detention, and Kim was indicted in custody. The KBO permanently banned both players. In 2016, during the league, NC Dinos pitcher Lee Tae-yang was caught fixing matches. Subsequently, Samsung Lions pitcher Ahn Ji-man was suspected of involvement in illegal gambling establishments, and Mun Woo-ram, a former Nexen Heroes outfielder serving in the military, was also implicated in match-fixing.

2013 Jeonbuk Hyundai 'Referee Bribery'

In 2013, Jeonbuk Hyundai scout Mr. A was found to have given 1 million won five times each to two referees from January to October to receive favorable decisions. Jeonbuk recorded 3 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses in the eight matches where these referees were assigned. The crime was uncovered in May 2016. Mr. A was sentenced to 6 months in prison with a 2-year probation in the first trial. Then, in June 2017, Mr. A took his own life in the stands of Jeonju World Cup Stadium, halting further police investigations. The Jeonbuk club was penalized by the federation with a deduction of 9 points and a fine of 100 million won.

Basketball Coach Kang Dong-hee [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

2013 Professional Basketball Match-Fixing

This incident revealed that Kang Dong-hee, then head coach of Wonju Dongbu, accepted bribes from brokers and manipulated matches by benching starting players and fielding bench players. It was shocking as it was the first time a star player turned coach was involved in match-fixing in Korean professional sports. Coach Kang was prosecuted and, while in custody, was sentenced to 10 months in prison in the first trial.