Five Premier League stars targeted by match-fixers with lucrative offer on table

A whistleblower has claimed that at least five Premier League players have been approached by illegal betting syndicates over the fixing of matches. Moses Swaibu, who was previously jailed for conspiracy to commit bribery, believes the very highest levels of English football have been targeted by the groups.

The former footballer, who has been working with the league since turning his life around following his release, has claimed that he was informed by players about the approaches between 2015 and 2019.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Swaibu alleged that players have been 'approached by match-fixers outside their training ground' or at casinos in London. He also revealed that some players have spoken to him about their gambling habits, with many confused by the restrictions on football betting.

Players in England's top five leagues as well as the Women's Super League are subject to a worldwide betting ban on football matches. However, Swaibu explained that some players were bemused by the rules given that their clubs were sponsored by gambling companies.

"The players told me they gamble," he said. "They say: 'I gamble because we’re sponsored by a gambling company, so why can’t I do it?'. Players actually turned me around on a few occasions and said: 'I’ve been approached by match-fixers outside my training ground'."

Swaibu added that some of the players who approached him to discuss betting issues are now playing at international level. A handful of big-name players, such as Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali, have fallen foul of gambling rules in recent years but there is no suggestion of any match-fixing on their part.

It is said that Swaibu did not inform the Premier League about what he had been told by players because he did not want to break their trust. He made the comments ahead of the launch of a new podcast, Confessions of a Match Fixer, where he will reveal how he became involved with illegal betting syndicates.

In 2015, Swaibu was convicted following an undercover investigation into match fixing and jailed for one year and four months. He and another player, Delroy Facey, were convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery following a trial in Birmingham.

In response to Swaibu's claims, the Premier League said in a statement: "The integrity of English football, across all levels of the game, is of paramount importance. Gambling on football by professional players is strictly prohibited.

"Each season, we deliver bespoke education to all professional clubs and players with key information and advice on the risks of betting and match fixing in football. We also encourage all football participants to report any potential breaches of our rules and regulations to us directly."