London, Sep 26(ANI): The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has said that it is investigating 40 cases alleged of match-fixing, which were played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) over the past four years.

“In the cases we have seen, it’s really the deliberate planned fix of the games, the whole games. It might take some time to convict, but in cases where we can work together with the police, that might be possible,” The Times quoted Peter Limacher, head of disciplinary services at UEFA, as saying.

Several officials further said that match-fixing has increased over the years due to the monstrous money that is involved in the game, and also claimed that rather than the players, referees were the ones, who were usually bribed.

“It is very difficult for referees to officiate a match between 22 millionaires. If someone offers him 30,000 Swiss francs and a fur coat for his wife, the temptation to take it is huge,” said Lennart Johansson, the former president of UEFA.

The UEFA president Michel Platini has always voiced his concerned over the match-fixing scandals that were present in Europe, and had claimed that he would abolish it soon.

“There is a grave danger in football and that is match-fixing. It is the greatest problem. If you know who is winning, there is no reason to play any more. Buying players and referees is what worries me,” Platini had said. (ANI)