Ten men have been arrested by Gardaí investigating claims of match fixing in the League of Ireland.

The men, aged in their early 20’s to 60’s, were arrested in the south of the country and in the Dublin region.

A number of homes have also been searched as part of the day of action Gardai have codenamed ‘Operation Brookweed.’

It comes after the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) approached Gardaí about suspected match fixing in 2019.

Detective Superintendent Catharina Gunne, Garda National Economic Crime Bureau 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.”

In a statement, the FAI said it ‘notes the latest developments in the investigation’.

“The FAI, in conjunction with UEFA, remains committed to a zero-tolerance policy on match fixing,” it said.

“As this is now a legal matter, we will be making no further comment.”

The men have all been arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Defraud and are being held at various garda stations in the Southern Region and Dublin Metropolitan Region.

Gardaí are urging anyone with any information related to match-fixing or sports corruption to contact them.

You can make a report in confidence to the Anti- Bribery and Corruption Confidential Reporting line on 1800 40 60 80 or directly at your local Garda Station.