Man arrested on suspicion of attempting to bribe a League of Ireland footballer

The man in his 30s was arrested on Tuesday.

Specialist officers from the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Unit of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) have arrested a man on suspicion of allegedly trying to bribe a professional League of Ireland football player during the current season.

The individual was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in the Western Region. He has since been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The alleged bribery offence happened on the opening day of this season’s League of Ireland in February.

The man reportedly offered the professional footballer a sum of well over €30,000 in order to get sent off in a competitive fixture.

It is alleged that the suspect had approached the footballer and asked him to sign a jersey for him. Then, the bribery suspect propositioned him during this interaction and sources say that the player threw the jersey back at the suspect before leaving the area.

In a statement, gardaí said: "The Anti-Bribery and Corruption Unit remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of sport in Ireland and continues to work closely with all relevant stakeholders.

"An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to anyone with information regarding match-fixing or sports corruption to report it in confidence via the Bribery and Corruption Confidential Reporting line at 1800 40 60 80, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or at their local Garda Station."

Last season, a League of Ireland footballer who immediately alerted Gardaí after he was allegedly offered a bribe was praised by football authorities.

That incident led to Gardaí carrying out searches and seizing several “items of evidential value” in Dublin.

Since 2019, Gardaí have also been carrying out Operation Brookweed, which is investigating reports of suspected match-fixing received from the FAI and UEFA.