Share

Former Dutch star Kluivert in betting probe

The Hague - Former Dutch star Patrick Kluivert, currently director of football at French club Paris Saint-Germain, owed up to one million euros to a criminal gang after racking up debts betting on football, a Dutch newspaper said Sunday.

De Volkskrant said the gang applied threats to pressure Kluivert in order to recoup the debt which he had repaid in part.

The newspaper said investigators had no proof the former player was involved in illegal match-fixing and his lawyer was quoted as saying his client was "only a victim in this affair."

Prosecutors arrested five suspects in February in connection with the affair and during their probe uncovered documents linking the gang to Kluivert, who was called in for questioning, but "purely as a witness," his lawyer Gerard Sprong insisted.

The newspaper, citing confidential judicial documents and anonymous sources, said Kluivert, the coach of Dutch club FC Twente's reserve team at the time, placed bets on the first team's games in 2011 and 2012.

The activity was not illegal at the time, the newspaper said, but the former Barcelona star striker lost heavily, and has since repaid part of the debt.

However, the criminal gang was engaged in match-fixing, and applied "enormous pressure" on Kluivert" to repay the debt in full," the paper said.

It said the gang threatened to release a tape in which Kluivert, 40, a former assistant Dutch national coach, is heard discussing the debt.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2239 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE