Russian authorities have concluded a major match-fixing investigation involving Moscow's Torpedo football club. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) announced that the preliminary investigation into former Torpedo general director Valery Skorodumov has been completed, with the case now heading to court.
According to MVD spokesperson Irina Volk, Skorodumov allegedly operated as part of an organized group alongside the club's owner and an employee. Together, they are accused of unlawfully influencing the outcomes of 20 matches during the 2024/2025 season of the First League, known as the Melbet Championship.
The scheme involved conspiring with sports referees and providing them with financial incentives. Investigators found that 13 football officials received payments ranging from 500,000 to 3 million rubles per match, with the amount varying based on the game's importance to Torpedo's promotion campaign.
The primary objective of the alleged conspiracy was to ensure Torpedo Moscow's advancement to the Russian Premier League, the top tier of Russian football. The group reportedly conditioned payments on the club winning upcoming matches, creating a direct financial incentive for favorable officiating.
In addition to base payments, the investigation uncovered a bonus structure for particularly impactful decisions. Referees could allegedly earn an extra 250,000 to 500,000 rubles for awarding penalties against Torpedo's opponents or sending opposing players off the field.
The criminal case has been built under Part 2 of Article 184 of the Russian Criminal Code, which addresses commercial bribery. The approved indictment has been transferred to Moscow's Simonovsky District Court for substantive consideration. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.
This case represents one of the most significant match-fixing scandals in recent Russian football history, involving multiple matches across an entire season and numerous officials. The investigation highlights ongoing concerns about corruption in lower-tier Russian football leagues.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.