Probe opened in alleged graft in Polish football

08 December 2011 14:47

A court in Warsaw has opened a probe into alleged graft within the Polish Football Federation (PZPN) implicating top board members including president Grzegorz Lato.

"It concerns suspicions of illegal profits, accepted or promised, in 2010 and 2011, by the members of the Federation's board of management, in relation with the purchase of land for the future PZPN headquarters," prosecutor Dariusz Slepokura said.

If found guilty those involved could face a five-year prison sentence, he added.

The court holds recordings of several conversations allegedly between former Polish international Lato which also implicate PZPN secretary general Zdzislaw Krecina.

Both have proclaimed their innocence, although Krecina was last week stripped of his functions by the PZPN.

These latest accusations have sent shockwaves through footballing circles in Poland, which will co-host Euro 2012 with Ukraine.

Since 2005 several top Polish clubs have been caught up in match-fixing scandals with more than 600 people -- referees, players, coaches and federation members -- appearing before courts with many receiving sentences.

Source: AFP