FIFA probes into Claus Lundekvam's claim of manipulating Premier League games in betting scams

London, July 12 (ANI): Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has launched an investigation into claims by the former Southampton defender, Claus Lundekvam, that the Premier League games were manipulated by players as part of a betting scam.

Lundekvam, who spent 12 years at Southampton, claimed captains at the rival Premier League clubs were also involved in the scam, with players regularly placing bets on things such as the time of the first corner or throw in.

He also declared that the money was sometimes bet on the number of red and yellow cards in the game and even penalties, which could have had a defining impact on the game's result.

"It's not something I'm proud of. For a while we did this almost every week. We made a fair bit of money," The Telegraph quoted Lundekvam, as saying.

"We could make deals with the opposing captain about, for example, betting on the first throw, the first corner, who started with the ball, a yellow card or a penalty. The results were never on the agenda. That is something I would never have done. We were professional competitors. Even though what we did, of course, was illegal, it was just a fun thing," he added.

Former Southampton chairman, Rupert Lowe, who was in charge when Lundekvam alleges the spread-betting scams took place, has urged the Football Association to launch a full investigation and criticised it for not doing so when former club captain Matt Le Tissier made a similar claim in his autobiography, Taking Le Tis.

Matt set the hare running in his autobiography. I had no idea it was going on and only the guys in the dressing room will really know to what extent it was happening.

"The authorities really should have launched an investigation after Matt wrote what he did and I hope they launch one now. I wouldn't hold your breath, though, historically the authorities have been very slow in investigating alleged betting scams," he added.

FIFA has announced that it will be starting an investigation. (ANI)