BRUSSELS (AP) — The union representing professional soccer players says its members are being mistreated by clubs in Eastern Europe, in some cases leading to the greater risk of match-fixing.
In a wide-ranging statistical study of thousands of players in a dozen nations, FIFPro says clubs in Eastern Europe show a “terrifying lack of respect” for fundamental rights of professionals, ranging from withholding wages to beatings.
FIFPro, which has threatened to hold up the start of some Champions League matches if it failed to get commitments the situation would improve, says the nonpayment of players directly contributed to the raise in match-fixing.
