Notorious Singaporean match-fixer (allegedly) Tan Seet Eng walked away free after being detained in Singapore since October 2013.
He was detained without trial — under the interest of public safety — after Italian prosecutors accused him of being the mastermind of a global crime syndicate that rigged Italian football matches and other games over the world. So far, the 51-year-old has denied any wrongdoing.
The Guardian reports that Tan's arrest along with 13 others in 2013 was hailed by Interpol as a major breakthrough against corruption in football. Tan was even referred to as the general director of the crime ring.
Judge Sundaresh Menon however allowed him to walk free after finding that there was nothing to suggest his alleged crimes have a bearing on public safety, peace and good order. There was no reason to suggest that it was likely Tan's alleged criminal activities would take root in Singapore.
FIFA however has criticised the decision to release Tan. “FIFA is very disappointed with the Singaporean Court of Appeal’s decision to release Mr Tan given the gravity of his past activities relating to match manipulation,” said football’s governing body in a statement sent to Reuters.
"Match manipulation is a threat that undermines the integrity and credibility of football at different levels of the game. FIFA has a zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and is committed to protecting the integrity of football by all means necessary."
Notorious Singaporean match-fixer (allegedly) Tan Seet Eng walked away free after being detained in Singapore since October 2013.
He was detained without trial — under the interest of public safety — after Italian prosecutors accused him of being the mastermind of a global crime syndicate that rigged Italian football matches and other games over the world. So far, the 51-year-old has denied any wrongdoing.
The Guardian reports that Tan's arrest along with 13 others in 2013 was hailed by Interpol as a major breakthrough against corruption in football. Tan was even referred to as the general director of the crime ring.
Judge Sundaresh Menon however allowed him to walk free after finding that there was nothing to suggest his alleged crimes have a bearing on public safety, peace and good order. There was no reason to suggest that it was likely Tan's alleged criminal activities would take root in Singapore.
FIFA however has criticised the decision to release Tan. “FIFA is very disappointed with the Singaporean Court of Appeal’s decision to release Mr Tan given the gravity of his past activities relating to match manipulation,” said football’s governing body in a statement sent to Reuters.
"Match manipulation is a threat that undermines the integrity and credibility of football at different levels of the game. FIFA has a zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and is committed to protecting the integrity of football by all means necessary."