Water polo investigation clears players of match-fixing, charges 12 over betting violations

An international integrity investigation has cleared Maltese water polo players of match-fixing allegations, while bringing betting-related charges against 11 players and one team official.

The Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU), operating under World Aquatics, concluded a six-month investigation into suspicious betting activity linked to Malta’s national team during the European Water Polo Championships in Belgrade.

The inquiry began after the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports (AIMS) flagged online wagering patterns in January. Reports at the time suggested that players may have placed bets on their own fixtures, raising concerns that match outcomes or goal differences could have been targeted.

However, the AQIU said it found no evidence of match manipulation or attempts to improperly influence the outcome of any match. The investigation instead identified repeated breaches of World Aquatics’ integrity rules, which prohibit athletes and team personnel from betting on water polo events.

The 12 individuals have been offered the opportunity to reduce or suspend proposed sanctions by submitting written admissions by 7 July. Potential penalties range from one to four-month suspensions and fines of up to $1,000.

Those considered to have gambling-related problems may also be required to undertake professional therapy. All parties involved would be expected to support integrity education initiatives for five years.

The Aquatic Sports Association of Malta said it welcomed the finding that competition integrity had not been compromised. However, it added that betting by individuals covered by the integrity code remained a serious concern, even where there was no evidence of manipulation.

The association said it would continue to engage with the AQIU and the individuals involved as they consider their available responses under the code.

The case adds to a series of recent integrity controversies across global sport, following the Czech Football Association's sanctions against club MFK Karviná and several players over match manipulation, an ongoing criminal case involving Flamengo forward Bruno Henrique and a corruption investigation implicating senior officials at Argentina's football federation.