Riddle of the fiddle: From Sheffield Wednesday to Colombia and Cronje, why is sport haunted by match-fixing?

From the inception of modern sport, people have found a need to make money by gambling on the outcome. Today, sports betting is big business, but some go out of their way to ensure that the outcome is in their favour.

Andres Escobar: In 1994, rumours were rife that the Colombian national football team were heavily under the influence of drug cartels and betting syndicates. Reports of coach Hernan Gomez receiving death threats over team selection were widespread.

However true these rumblings were, the players were clearly affected. The pivotal moment came in a crucial World Cup group match with the hosts, the USA. Central defender Escobar was doing his job as a defender and stretched out to block an attacking cross. He deflected the ball into his own net and Colombia never recovered, losing the match 2-1, resulting in their exit from the tournament.

In Medellin 10 days later, Escobar was shot 12 times by a lone gunman. Police reported that after each shot the killer was heard to shout the chilling cry 'Goal!'.