TNT Sports
Match-fixing ref jailed
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Published 17/11/2005 at 13:39 GMT
German referee Robert Hoyzer was sentenced to over two years in prison on Thursday for his part in the biggest match-fixing scandal to hit Germany in 30 years. Hoyzer, and another referee, Dominik Marks, were found guilty of fixing matches in return for p
Eurosport
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Marks received a suspended sentence of one year and six months for his role in the biggest match-fixing scandal to hit Germany in more than 30 years.
"It wasn't a youthful misdemeanour but a serious crime," said presiding judge Gerti Kramer.
Hoyzer's jail term came as a shock as prosecutors took his confession into account and only sought a suspended sentence.
"He violated his important duty of neutrality," said Kramer, adding the former referee was aware of the vast winnings he generated and he also sought to recruit other officials.
Sapina, 29, an obsessive gambler who placed huge sums on the referees' matches, was jailed for two years and 11 months.
His older brothers Filip, 38, and bar-owner Milan, 40, were given suspended sentences for aiding Ante's criminal operation. Filip was given one year, and Milan one year and four months.
Dressed in a three-piece suit, Hoyzer appeared stunned by the verdict and left court without speaking to reporters. Ante Sapina repeatedly shook his head during the 45-minute session.
Lawyers for both men said they would appeal. They remain at liberty until the appeals are decided.
"We and Mr Hoyzer are very disappointed by the verdict. Even the prosecutors had sought a suspended sentence," said Hoyzer's lawyer Thomas Hermes.
His client had not used his right to remain silent but had lifted the lid on the match-fixing, Hermes said. Prosecutors had said Hoyzer had spared German football "an unbearable and drawn-out marathon trial" with his testimony.
Prosecutors say they are also still investigating a further 19 players and officials suspected of involvement.
The scandal, uncovered at the start of this year, has tarnished the reputation of German soccer as the country prepares to host the 2006 World Cup, the game's showcase event.
CUP UPSET
In the most notorious match-rigging incident, Hoyzer awarded regional league side Paderborn two penalties to help them come from two goals down to knock out first division Hamburg SV in the first round of the German Cup.
He also sent off Hamburg striker Emile Mpenza.
Ante Sapina made more than 750,000 euros from Paderborn's 4-2 victory, according to the indictment.
On another occasion, Ante Sapina bet 240,000 euros and won 870,000 on a single match, a second division game between Karlsruher SC and MSV Duisburg on Dec. 3, 2004 which Duisburg won 3-0 with Marks refereeing.
Hoyzer's overall reward was 67,000 euros and an expensive new television set for the nine matches he fixed or tried to fix. Marks was accused of amassing 36,000 for his involvement in four games.
German football association president Theo Zwanziger said he was happy with the rulings 10 months after allegations first surfaced.
"The threat of two and a half years in prison will certainly make one or two people think before trying to influence a football match," he said.
Soccer authorities had hoped the affair would be settled before the World Cup gala draw in Leipzig on Dec. 9.
But it is not over because ex-professional Steffen Karl, formerly of first division Borussia Dortmund and a UEFA Cup finalist, is being tried separately in connection with the match-rigging scam.
The case of Karl, who denies ever deliberately underperforming or seeking to lose a game, continues next week.
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