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.

'Cronje died tragically in a plane crash in 2002,leaving behind many unanswered questions and a tainted legacy'


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!'.

Hansie Cronje: In early 2000, South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje, 32, sparked massive media coverage as he admitted to match-fixing. He admitted to receiving more than $140,000 from London-based bookmakers to influence aspects of his team's performance. In one example, he convinced Herschelle Gibbs to score less than 20 runs in a one-day international for a $15,000 reward.

Cronje received a lifetime ban from any involvement in professional cricket but he maintained throughout his numerous trials that he never conspired to fix overall match results. He died tragically in a plane crash in 2002, leaving behind many unanswered questions and a tainted legacy.

Malaysian football fixers: In 1999, three individuals, believed to be fronting an illegal betting syndicate in the Far East, were arrested at Charlton Athletic's Valley stadium, believed to be plotting to tamper with the floodlights.

1964 football scandal: In one of the most publicised and infamous betting scandals ever, Sheffield Wednesday's ex-England internationals Tony Kay and Peter Swan, along with team-mate David Layne, were jailed for four months and given life bans from the sport. The players admitted their involvement in match-fixing.

Swan told The Times: “Where there’s money there will always be a fiddle. Even with honest people there is temptation. I’m sure there have been bent referees. Back in our time there was a lot of talk about it going on in the lower leagues. We were scapegoats but they had to make an example of us because it was that rife.”