Goalkeeper Frode Olsen has admitted advising current Valerenga Coach Martin Andresen to bet on a Sevilla-Real Oviedo match in 2000.
The Norwegian shot-stopper, who was playing for Sevilla at the time, told newspaper Dagens Næringsliv that he called countryman Andresen and advised him to back against Los Rojiblancos – already mathematically relegated – as Oviedo themselves were involved in a relegation dogfight with Sevilla’s cross-city rivals Real Betis and a win would boost the Asturians, while at the same time damaging Betis’ hopes of top-flight survival.
In the event, Sevilla lost the game 3-2 at the Sanchez Pizjuan amid shouts of ´Ole` from their own fans.
“I called Martin and two others,” admitted Olsen. “I do not remember how much I bet myself because I did not consider the game was rigged and believed it was a result of local circumstances, like when betting on a result that favours two teams playing.”
Besides being Valerenga boss Andresen, 35, turns out when able to for Third Division Follo FK, one of the teams involved in a match-fixing scandal that Norwegian police are presently investigating, with suspicions of possible manipulation of games also forcing the suspension of a fixture last Sunday between Ull/Kisa and HamKam.
Sports officials in Norway have recently announced they are preparing a national action plan against match-fixing – amongst other measures – and are studying a total ban on players betting on football.
