NORWICH-DERBY 'FIX' PROBE

TWO MPs have raised questions in Parliament about about allegations of match-fixing in a Championship match between Norwich and Derby.

It emerged at the weekend that a Championship match was being investigated by the Football Association, amid claims of suspicious bets being laid as the game was played.

Two Norfolk MPs last night put down questions to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, demanding to know what discussions had been held with the FA to clear the matter up.

Norman Lamb, the MP for Norfolk North, said the allegations related to unusual patterns of online betting in Asia during Derby's 2-1 win at Norwich on October 4.

He said he did not know whether there was any foundation to the allegations or exactly what outcome the bets were riding on, but said that the matter should be cleared up quickly to remove the shadow of suspicion over the two clubs.

Lamb, a Norwich season-ticket holder, said: "I am calling on the FA and the sports minister (Gerry Sutcliffe) to make an urgent statement today to confirm exactly what is known and what is happening in terms of the investigation.

Activity

"I want confirmation that it is being treated with the utmost seriousness because it goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

"None of these allegations may have any foundation, but it is deeply troubling for the clubs involved. Nobody wants a smear hanging over them. It needs to be cleared up."

Norwich North MP Ian Gibson has also tabled a question to Mr Burnham, asking "what discussions he has had with the Football Association in respect of recent allegations of match-fixing and unusual betting activity on a Football League Championship match".

An FA spokesman said: "We are investigating the reports about this game but we have no further comment to make at this stage."

Evidence

Both clubs say they have not yet had any contact from the FA and are making no further comment at this stage.

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: "Ministers take the integrity of sport and gambling very seriously, which is why the Government recently introduced a new offence of cheating at gambling which carries a maximum two-year jail sentence.

"We want there to be no hiding place for cheats and it is right the FA investigate these serious allegations thoroughly.

"Should evidence that the law has been broken emerge, it is for the relevant authorities such as the Gambling Commission or the police to conduct that investigation."

No specific allegations have been made against any individual player involved in the match and there is no suggestion of any untoward activity by anyone on the pitch.

Derby won the game with five minutes to go following a defensive mix-up by the home team.

Integrity

Gibson said there were reports of massive movements in Asian-based betting markets at half-time.

"I don't know if they were betting on a Derby win, a Norwich win, a draw or whatever," said Gibson.

"We need to know how many people put bets on, what the bets were worth, what the bet was and how it was picked up."

A spokeswoman for the Gambling Commission declined to say whether it had received a complaint relating to the match or launched an investigation.

She added: "We do look into all reported allegations of any lack of integrity in sport and consider what action would be necessary from us."

Derby County manager Paul Jewell brushed off the controversy.

He said: "It's something that as far as I'm aware is just nonsense.

"I'm bemused. If it wasn't so serious, it would be laughable. It's something that we're not even interested in because there's no truth in it, as far as I'm concerned."

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