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Criminals and oligarchs in EU's sights with new bill targeting football fraud

Legislation will bring seismic change to the industry and aims to stamp out money laundering

An investigation into alleged bribery, money-laundering, forged transfer contracts and the involvement of organised crime at the highest levels of professional football that began in 2018 eventually implicated almost 60 agents, administrators, referees and coaches. Known as Operation Clean Hands, the level of alleged corruption it uncovered not only led to the establishment of new strict financial regulations for clubs in Belgium but also opened eyes in the corridors of power in Brussels. Damien Carême: ‘Can fans really enjoy the game when you know the money used to buy your favourite player comes from organised criminal groups?’ Photograph: Christian Hartmann/ReutersSo seismic are the changes expected to be that policymakers have extended the adaptation period from the usual three years to five, having seen the difficulties some clubs in Belgium have faced in complying to similar regulations.

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