The London Daily News

News Desk

The president of the International Olympic Committee Jacque Rogge has said that international crime syndicates, who fix matches and are involved in illegal sports gambling, are threatening the credibility of sports.  

Interpol has warned that criminal syndicates are increasing their involvement in sports betting with more cases of match-fixing being reported.

The IOC convened a meeting in Switzerland with sports minister, sports bodies, betting operators and police chiefs from across the European Union to discuss and find a solution at the "vulnerability of unlicensed betting".

Members of the Italian-American Gambino family were found guilty in the United States of illegal internet based gambling and in Japan the Yakuza were also linked to sumo wrestling rigging.

Jacque Rogge the President of the International Olympic Committee said:

"Sport is in danger.  This is not about the Olympic Games, this is about sport in general."

Illegal sports betting in Asia alone have been estimated to be worth $500 billion according to figures issued by Interpol.

Measures that are being considered by the IOC is to push for a similar organisation in structure to the World Anti-Doping body, dedicated to eradicating illegal gambling, and increasing co-operating between sports, governments and law enforcement bodies.