Match fixing suspected in January Dutch football game

German public broadcaster ARD discovered suspicious gambling at betting shops in southern Germany that may indicate match fixing in two football games, one in the Netherlands and one in Belgium, Omroep Brabant reports.

The Dutch game was between NEC and Willem II on January 17th this year. Gamblers bet heavily on a home win for NEC. And they were right, NEC won 1-0. The Belgian match was betwen Oostende and Waasland-Beveren on the same day. Here gamblers bet heavily  on high scores with at least three goals. Here too they were right, the match ended 3-3.

The NEC win came after a number of controversial decisions from referee Jochem Kamphuis, including a disputed penalty kick for NEC and two yellow cards and a red card for Willem II, according to the broadcaster.

Willem II director Berry van Gool is disappointed that his club was again mentioned in connection with match fixing. He told Omroep Brabant that he was at the game himself and saw with his own eyes that his team played their hearts out. "There is currently no reason to do our own in-depth investigation. Before any further action, I'm waiting for a call from the KNVB."

This is not the first time Willem II has been mentioned in the same breath as match fixing. Two weeks ago the KNVB announced that there is evidence that former Willem II player Ibrahim Kargbo attempted to manipulate one of his team's matches in 2009.