by happytorq » 10 Dec 2013, 15:46
there's a difference between types of match fixing that the media seem to entirely miss. Probably because it's more dramatic to say "aaah MATCH FIXING IT'S ALL RIGGED!!"
match fixing conjures up the image of a team contriving to lose a game, or concede a goal - basically directly affecting the outcome of a game (this is what Nick McKoy was charged with in Australia).
the recent allegations - Sam Sodje, for one - centre around spot fixing, which is slightly different. Many bookmakers will offer odds on stupid things like which team will get the first throw in, or who will get booked first. That's the sort of thing that and individual player is more likely to be involved in, simply because it's really hard or an individual to affect the entire match.
That's not to say that spot fixing isn't bad. Of course it is - and bookmakers accepting these sorts of bets are the reason that they can happen. Is it really that hard to imagine a Torquay player being approached and getting told "if you kick the ball straight out from the kick off, we'll give you 2 grand"? not for me. That's way easier to contemplate that trying to get the team to 'throw' a game.
if it was up to me I'd prevent bookies from offering those sorts of bets, as they're far easy to manipulate.
there's a difference between types of match fixing that the media seem to entirely miss. Probably because it's more dramatic to say "aaah MATCH FIXING IT'S ALL RIGGED!!"
match fixing conjures up the image of a team contriving to lose a game, or concede a goal - basically directly affecting the outcome of a game (this is what Nick McKoy was charged with in Australia).
the recent allegations - Sam Sodje, for one - centre around spot fixing, which is slightly different. Many bookmakers will offer odds on stupid things like which team will get the first throw in, or who will get booked first. That's the sort of thing that and individual player is more likely to be involved in, simply because it's really hard or an individual to affect the entire match.
That's not to say that spot fixing isn't bad. Of course it is - and bookmakers accepting these sorts of bets are the reason that they can happen. Is it really that hard to imagine a Torquay player being approached and getting told "if you kick the ball straight out from the kick off, we'll give you 2 grand"? not for me. That's way easier to contemplate that trying to get the team to 'throw' a game.
if it was up to me I'd prevent bookies from offering those sorts of bets, as they're far easy to manipulate.
