Norwich and Derby in match-fix allegations

The Football Association are investigating allegations of match-fixing in a Championship game between Norwich City and Derby County.

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb and Norwich North MP Ian Gibson, both season-ticket holders at Carrow Road, demanded Culture Secretary Andy Burnham reveal any information he may have of an inquiry into the match, on 4 October, which featured suspect betting patterns.

British trading firm Spreadex had reported "a massive movement at around half-time" in the Asian markets and an expert at the firm claimed he had "not seen anything like this in 10 years of working in the industry".

Derby won the game 2-1, with Norwich keeper David Marshall misjudging a loose pass as Nathan Ellington rolled the ball into an unguarded net with five minutes to go.

The visitors had taken the lead through Rob Hulse but were pegged back when referee Darren Deadman sent off goalkeeper Roy Carroll and Sammy Clingan equalised from the resulting penalty.

Lamb's question, which was tabled yesterday, read: "To ask the Secretary of State for Culture what discussions he has had with the Football Association on allegations of match-fixing and unusual betting activity involving the Norwich v Derby match."

Lamb said: "It was profoundly shocking to me, as a supporter, to learn that Norwich City were at the centre of such allegations.

"This is fundamental to the reputation of the club and the integrity of the game. When you watch a match you have to be able to trust what is going on in front of you.

"This needed to be brought into the open and the fans needed to know what was being talked about."
Dr Gibson said: "Having been at the game and having experienced the disappointment of losing it, the sooner that this is sorted out the better it will be. I have contacted the FA. They phoned me back and said Yes, that's the game'. They also said they hoped to have a report out within a week."

An FA spokesman said today: "We are investigating the reports about this game."

Both clubs have not yet had any contact from the FA and are making no further comment at this stage.

Culture Secretary Burnham refused to comment on the investigation but a spokesman for his department said: "Ministers take the integrity of sport and gambling very seriously, which is why the Government recently introduced a new offence of cheating at gambling which carries a maximum two-year jail sentence.

"We want there to be no hiding place for cheats and it is right the FA investigate these serious allegations thoroughly. Should evidence that the law has been broken emerge it is for the relevant authorities such as the Gambling Commission or the police to conduct that investigation."