Delorge Sacked For Alleged Match Fixing

Last updated : 17 February 2006 By Covsupport

Former Coventry City winger Laurent Delorge has been sacked by Anderlecht for alleged match-fixing.

Delorge and Marius Mitu have admitted to being involved in match fixing whilst at Lierse last season.

Their contracts have been terminated after police investigated reports of very heavy betting on matches in Belgium.

Anderlecht's General manager Herman van Holsbeeck said: "We have no confidence in these players and have decided now to terminate their contracts."

Other reports say Mitu and Delorge were questioned by Belgium's public prosecutor on Thursday, when Lierse suspended defender Laurent Fassotte, goalkeeper Cliff Mardulier and goalkeeping coach Patrick Deman until further notice.

The three also had their homes searched by police, a spokesman for the country's public prosecutor said Lierse is one of the clubs under investigation after losing 4-0 to Germinal Beerschot on November 5. 

The Belgian FA announced last week that it was launching its own investigation after a programme aired by national broadcaster VRT alleged match-fixing in seven first division matches this season. The programme alleged 14 players and coaches from several teams were linked to a Shanghai-based gambling ring. All the clubs named deny any wrongdoing.

Jean-Marie Philips, chairman of the Belgian Professional League, said last week that any club found guilty of involvement in match-fixing faced being expelled from the professional game.

The first investigation came after internet betting exchange Betfair logged heavy betting patterns for La Louviere's 3-1 win over St Truiden on October 29. Bets totalling 400,000 euros ($474,000) were staked, about 20 times above average. La Louviere deny any involvement. St Truiden, who also deny any involvement, have since had their players sign a declaration that they will not bet on any of their games or give out team information