SUPER LEAGUE ROCKED BY BETTING SCANDAL A Confederation Super League football referee has today been arrested following an investigation uncovered following what Police have described as "irregular betting patterns". It was noted by several bookmakers that games involving the referee had an abnormally large amount of bets placed on the number of red or yellow cards given during a game. One betting company spokesman said. "Normally we may see around 100 people per game bet on such a thing as how many cards a ref will give during a match. We today have an industry where fans can bet on almost any aspect of a match, even the number of throw ins. With this increased amount of options for customers we keep a careful watch for patterns and have uncovered that in matches involving just one official the bets on cards went from around 100 people to four times the number while other games were not impacted. We naturally alerted the League who have investigated." The League uncovered further evidence and handed their dossier over to the Police who have today made the arrest. The referee has not yet been named as further investigations are still ongoing.
A CSL spokesman told us, "We want a fair competition and while we have individuals willing to manipulate even the smallest element of the game for the favour of those betting large sums, usually from criminal elements, the game is in danger. We have a duty to ensure the game is fair and honest. We thank the Police for stepping in and taking this on."
Some have speculated that the irregular betting could have been attempts by organised crime at laundering money. "A criminal walks into one book-makers and using ill gotten money or fake notes place large bets, sometimes hitting four or five bookies so as not to raise suspicion. They find ways of manipulating the outcome of games so that nothing is left to chance. Once their bet comes in they go to a different branch of the same companies bookies and cash in their winnings, thus getting legitimate bank notes back, even getting some extra as a bonus. As a result it is us who have been left often holding large sums of fake money unaware where it has come from." One business estimated they lost $200,000 last year as a result of this practice. Should the referee be found guilty he could, if tried in Gotoroland, face a flogging for financial deception however with the League HQ being based in the Confederation capital it is likely that will not be the case. This weekends games will be going ahead as expected however it is certain Police will be keeping a keen eye on betting patterns.
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PARACAMBI TRIP FOR CONSUL Consul Dr. Adebola Kamau is expected to depart for Paracambi in the coming days for an official visit designed to promote "Ever closer ties between brothers". Dr.Kamau says that he is keen to build upon the "historic and cultural connections that exist between our two nations. In the time of the 4th Kinjanja Kingdom brave souls from that part of the Confederation tested their manhood by leaving their homeland before returning with a freed slave, meanwhile Paracambi's own naval daring helped free countless slaves. This bond has made us more than simple neighbours and we recognise that annually with a visit between us. Emperor Benson is a gracious host and I look forward to meeting him once again."
This years agenda is likely to be dominated by the Sovereign Union of Nations formation as that body moves towards its 1st birthday. The Consul though has stated, "We do not wish to join SUN and have some concerns what our friends membership means for our own bonds moving forward." Talks are also likely to consider the brewing civil war in Centralia and naval action against the Commonwealth of the Iwi, a nation the Consul says "despite being of a different race, vastly different culture and heritage are people I admire in some ways. They experienced slavery as many of our own people did and threw off their own shackles. My concern is that they now live with that evil inflicted on them as a all consuming desire for justice that sees them, quiet literally, sail close to becoming what they oppose, a nation unwilling to abide by what we accept as necessary for good international order. Therein too lies the problem, how can peace exist with no justice? Had such concepts as international organisations have existed in the 14th Century it would be my hope ourselves and Paracambi would have pushed for all slave traders to stand trial for crimes against humanity. The Iwi's scar is more recent and they do have a chance for justice. Turning nations against them though is not going to support their cause."
While invited to attend official functions in the Confederation during the Emperor's previous visit in early 2021 it is unlikely the heads of each of the Confederate States will attend the visit however King Tshepo has confirmed that he has asked the Consul to extend a challenge to the Paracambians for a sporting festival to take place in the summer.