More English matchfixing (DJ Campbell edition)

quote:

---

Former Premiership footballer DJ Campbell is among six people being questioned in connection with allegations of fixing in football matches, his club have confirmed.

Mr Campbell, who plays for Championship side Blackburn, was one of six people arrested on Sunday.

The arrests came after ex-Portsmouth player Sam Sodje told a reporter he could arrange for players to be booked or sent off in exchange for cash.

Portsmouth FC said it was "shocked".

Mr Campbell, 32, played in the Premier League for Birmingham, Blackpool and QPR.

Blackburn Rovers FC said in a statement: "Following reports in today's national media, Blackburn Rovers can confirm that striker DJ Campbell has been arrested.

"The club will be making no further comment on what is now an ongoing legal matter."

The names of the five others being held have not been confirmed.

Mr Sodje was secretly filmed by the Sun on Sunday describing how he punched an opponent in a League One game to get a red card in exchange for £70,000.

He was sent off in the 50th minute of a League One match while playing for Portsmouth against Oldham Athletic on 23 February.

The paper also reported that an Oldham player, Cristian Montano, apologised to Mr Sodje after failing to get a yellow card in the first half of a match against Wolves on 22 October.

And it said that Mr Sodje's brother Akpo, a striker at Tranmere Rovers, had said he would be prepared to be paid to be booked.

The allegations prompted the National Crime Agency to launch an inquiry.

---