Players agent held over soccer fraud scandal

21 March 2006

BRUSSELS — Players agent Pietro Allatta was remanded in custody on Monday night after voluntarily reporting to police over his alleged role in the Belgian soccer match-fixing scandal.

He is currently being detained in the Vorst prison near Brussels and is the first suspect in the fraud scandal to have been remanded in custody.

The federal public prosecution office will provide more information at a press conference later on Tuesday.

The investigating judge issued an international arrest warrant for Allatta and Chinese businessman Zheyen Ye last Thursday.

Allatta was on the island of Mauritius at the time. His lawyer said Allatta returned to Belgium because he is not involved in the gambling scandal and wants to defend himself.

The public prosecution said last week if it could locate and arrest Allatta, he would be immediately remanded in custody.

Allatta is accused of being the right-hand man of Ye, who is alleged to have influenced various First Division matches in a widespread gambling scandal.

Police have identified at least 50 suspects and players or officials at five clubs are alleged to be involved in the scandal. The clubs are La Louvière, Lierse, Bergen, Sint-Truiden and Moeskroen.

Subject: Belgian news