1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
IranIsrael-Hamas warIndia elections

A Stain on the Soul of German Soccer

October 17, 2005

The match-rigging affair exposed at the beginning of 2005 is the worst scandal to hit German soccer for 30 years. As the World Cup approaches, DW-WORLD documents the story which could seriously embarrass the hosts.

https://p.dw.com/p/7Jj3

It was the scandal that dulled the shine on Germany’s successful campaign to host the 2006 World Cup.

Shamed Bundesliga referee Robert Hoyzer and his alleged cohorts were revealed in 2005 as the instigators and practioners of Germany’s biggest sporting embarrassment; a scandal involving crooked match officials, greedy and corrupt players and a network of gangsters which stretched from Germany to Turkey and beyond.

The affair told the story of games thrown for money, a widespread illegal betting cartel and the threats and intimidation that went with instigating a match-rigging operation which threatened to undermine the very structure of soccer in Germany.

DW-WORLD documents the story of Germany's worst sporting scandal in 30 years in this special dossier.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Soccer Chiefs Debate Betting Post-Hoyzer

On the day that disgraced referee Robert Hoyzer escaped a huge fine, German soccer authorities sat down to debate the future of betting in the sport in a bid to avoid scandals in the future.
April 27, 2005

Referee Scandal Threatens Germany's World Cup

Instead of a fanfare heralding the first opportunity for the public to book their places at the World Cup in Germany in 2006, alarm bells are ringing over a match-rigging scandal that threatens to sully the event.
January 24, 2005

Bent German Referee Admits Match-Rigging

Robert Hoyzer, the referee in the middle of Germany's biggest soccer scandal for 34 years, admitted match-fixing on Thursday, a day after suspicions of mafia involvement were raised in the case against him.
January 27, 2005

German Cops Raid Homes in Soccer Scandal

A mass police raid on the premises of 19 football match-fixing suspects has uncovered more proof of manipulation, the Berlin public prosecuter's office confirmed on Wednesday.
February 2, 2005

Former Dortmund Player Admits to Bribe

March 16, 2005

Scandal Deals Blow to German Soccer

The widening match-fixing scandal is damaging German soccer's image in the build-up to the 2006 World Cup, organizing committee president Franz Beckenbauer said Tuesday.
February 15, 2005

Dodgy Dealings Mark German Bookmaking

The German bookmaking scene, in the spotlight since the eruption of the soccer match-fixing scandal, is worth billions. But the presence of private bookies along with state companies makes the market tough to monitor.
February 5, 2005

German Soccer Scandal Envelops Players

It now appears that disgraced referee Robert Hoyzer's match-rigging is the tip of the iceberg in the German soccer scandal. Revelations on Monday named players accused of receiving cash incentives in disputed games.
February 1, 2005

Betting Scandal Spreads Abroad

February 7, 2005

Referee Scandal Rears its Ugly Head

In April, German soccer officials quietly put the referee scandal involving Robert Hoyzer to rest. But manipulation accusations have risen again, this time involving another ref.
May 26, 2005

Disgraced German Referee Arrested

Disgraced German soccer referee Robert Hoyzer, who has admitted accepting bribes to manipulate matches, was arrested by police on Saturday amid fears that he would try to flee the country.
February 12, 2005

Key Man in Match Rigging Scandal Released

A 39-year old Croat was released from custody Tuesday after four months in custody on charges related to the Bundesliga match-rigging scandal. His testimony suggests the crime ring stretches to Turkey and beyond.
June 8, 2005
Show more stories