Fixing Claims: Four Players Among Six Arrested

Six men arrested as part of a football spot-fixing investigation include four current league players, it has emerged.

Five people detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, acting on information provided by the Sun on Sunday newspaper, have been released on bail until April.

Sky sources have confirmed they are are brothers Sam Sodje, an ex-Portsmouth defender, Akpo Sodje, who plays for Tranmere Rovers, and Steven Sodje, a businessman.

Also bailed were Cristian Montano, who plays for Oldham Athletic, and Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell.

The police inquiry was sparked by allegations made in the Sun on Sunday

The sixth man, still being questioned by police, is Ian Goodison, who also plays for Tranmere.

The six were detained in connection with a second probe into football spot-fixing, followig claims that a player rigged a football league game for cash.

According to the Sun on Sunday, an undercover investigator met Sam Sodje, who allegedly said he could arrange for players in the Football League to get themselves a yellow card in return for tens of thousands of pounds.

The 34-year-old former Nigerian international also allegedly told how he punched an opponent in the groin during a game earlier this year to get sent off in exchange for a £70,000 pay-out.

He further claimed he could rig Premier League games and even said he was preparing to fix matches at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

It also alleged that Cristian Montano attempted to get booked during a match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October, in return for money.

According to Tuesday's edition of The Sun, detectives were likely to review a yellow card DJ Campbell received for a tackle committed in the first half of Blackburn's league game against Ipswich Town last Tuesday.

Blackburn striker DJ Campbell has played for a number of clubs

An NCA spokesman said: "An active NCA investigation is now  under way and we are working closely with the Football Association and the Gambling Commission.

"Five people were arrested on Sunday morning, and bailed that evening until April 2014.

"A sixth individual was arrested on Sunday evening and is being questioned by NCA officers. No further detail is available at this stage."

Responding to the claims about Sam Sodje, Portsmouth FC spokesman Colin Farmery said: "If these serious allegations are true, then we are extremely shocked and saddened by them, as match-fixing of any type goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.

Ex-Portsmouth defender Sam Sodje is filmed by an undercover reporter

"The player in question no longer plays for the club and we have not been contacted by the authorities, but of course we would co-operate fully with any inquiry."

Oldham said in a statement: "Oldham Athletic Football Club has been made aware of the incident and allegation surrounding one of its players, Cristian Montano.

"The club will commence an immediate internal investigation to establish all the relevant facts of the case.

"The club is co-operating with other agencies in this matter and cannot comment on specific facts at this stage. The club will not be issuing any further statements at this time."

Tranmere said: "As this is an ongoing investigation, the club will make no further comment at this time."

The National Crime Agency is investigating separate fixing claims

The NCA is already carrying out a separate investigation into an alleged international illegal betting syndicate.

Speaking about the latest claims, Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "We treat any allegations of criminal activity in our competitions with the utmost seriousness."

The Professional Footballers' Association said: "These allegations, if proven, unfortunately demonstrate the real issue football faces in terms of corruption and highlights the necessity of the work carried out by the PFA and other stakeholders in the game in educating players of these risks.

"We take the issue of integrity very seriously and will continue in our efforts to eradicate this evil from our game.

"In terms of these specific reports, due to the ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency, we are unable to comment further at this time."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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