World Cup Players, Referees Pledge to Not Bet

UK – As reported by Bloomberg: "Players, coaches and referees at soccer's World Cup in Germany will for the first time have to sign a legal pledge preventing them or their families from betting on matches, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said today.

"The delegations of all 32 countries competing at the June 9- July 9 tournament will be obliged to sign the document and anyone found breaking the code would face a range of punishments, which could include fines or suspensions, soccer's ruling body said.

"…The move is part of FIFA's drive to crack down on corruption after a spate of match-fixing scandals rocked soccer. Referee Robert Hoyzer was sentenced to 29 months in jail in November for fixing matches in Germany, while Brazil's supreme court declared 11 top division games void in October after a referee admitted wrongdoing.

"Blatter said he would hold talks with all 23 World Cup referees immediately before the tournament to remind them of their responsibilities to fair play…"