A man has been arrested by Gardaí investigation claims of match-fixing in the League of Ireland.

The man, aged in his 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Defraud and is being held at a Garda station in the south of the country.

It brings to 15 the number of people who have been arrested as part of the investigation up to now.

Detective Superintendent Catharina Gunne from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) said: “Match-fixing and corruption is a threat to all sports at all levels and undermines public confidence in the fairness of sport.”

“It can allow organised crime to infiltrate sport in order to use it to make illicit gains or launder proceeds of crime,” she said.

“The Anti-Bribery & Corruption Unit will take proactive action where necessary to disrupt such criminality.

“Match-fixers prey on young and vulnerable players in order to corrupt them for their ends. A conviction for involvement in match-fixing could result in a significant custodial sentence.”

Gardaí opened their Operation Brookweed investigation into League of Ireland match-fixing in 2019 after the FAI and UEFA raised concerns.

The operation is receiving ongoing support from Interpol.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have information on match-fixing or sports corruption to report the matter in confidence to the Bribery and Corruption Confidential Reporting line on 1800 40 60 80, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or to their local Garda Station.