Match fixing

Will they ever learn? 

The recent revelation that Manchester City, and Everton were found guilty of bribing soccer referees is nothing new.

Match fixing hit the news in the mid-1960s when England centre-back, Peter Swan, was found guilty of being involved in a fixing ring; his punishment was a life-ban, which was rescinded in the mid 70s, but his rep had been damaged so badly nobody wanted to take him on. Swan was the most notable of several big-name players involved in the ring.

Several years later, Northern Ireland international, Johnny Crossan, was charged with being in a similar ring; he fled to Belgium for several year to escape prison.

In the early 2000's,Fiorentina in Italy were charged with being involved in a fixing ring, among other crimes. Before the news of the scandal was headlines in the UK, the courts in Spain banned Barcelona from trading for breaking several laws.

I did suspect something was wrong when Lionel Messi said he'd take a 50% pay cut to stay with Barcelona, and they said they still couldn't afford to keep him.

I have no doubt the practice will continue as the pressure to win is immense, and there are a few trophies (of note) to win; all the time it's a game of Russian Roulette, the longer you get away with it; the more you feel untouchable.