Interpol urges arrest of Singapore ‘match-fixer’
22 Feb 2013 12:58 AM GMT
The head of Interpol has urged Singapore to move against one of its citizens considered a key suspect in global football match-rigging, saying its failure to do so ‘distresses the world’.
secretary general Ronald Noble made the comment as Interpol and world football officials wrapped up a two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur with a pledge to work more closely in combatting the growing scourge of match-fixing. In a press conference closing the gathering, Noble took aim at Tan Seet Eng, also known as Dan Tan, who has emerged as a central figure in the suspected rigging of nearly 700 games worldwide.
Tan’s name has cropped up in multiple match-rigging investigations but remains at large in Singapore, where police have said they need hard evidence before arresting anyone. Tan has denied wrongdoing.
‘The fact that there can be an alleged organised crime head operating in a country known to be safe, secure like Singapore, distresses Singaporeans and distresses the world,’ said Noble. However, he praised the city-state for tipping off Interpol and Italian authorities on the arrival in Milan on Thursday of an alleged associate of Tan’s who is wanted in Italy over match-fixing charges.
Noble did not name the man, who flew to Milan from Singapore, or provide his nationality.
Singaporean police denied comment. ‘I want to compliment the Singapore police not just for their activity yesterday but their activity constantly in fighting international crime, including matchfixing,’ he said in a closing speech.
secretary general Ronald Noble made the comment as Interpol and world football officials wrapped up a two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur with a pledge to work more closely in combatting the growing scourge of match-fixing. In a press conference closing the gathering, Noble took aim at Tan Seet Eng, also known as Dan Tan, who has emerged as a central figure in the suspected rigging of nearly 700 games worldwide.
Tan’s name has cropped up in multiple match-rigging investigations but remains at large in Singapore, where police have said they need hard evidence before arresting anyone. Tan has denied wrongdoing.
‘The fact that there can be an alleged organised crime head operating in a country known to be safe, secure like Singapore, distresses Singaporeans and distresses the world,’ said Noble. However, he praised the city-state for tipping off Interpol and Italian authorities on the arrival in Milan on Thursday of an alleged associate of Tan’s who is wanted in Italy over match-fixing charges.
Noble did not name the man, who flew to Milan from Singapore, or provide his nationality.
Singaporean police denied comment. ‘I want to compliment the Singapore police not just for their activity yesterday but their activity constantly in fighting international crime, including matchfixing,’ he said in a closing speech.
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