A Swiss court last week acquitted former FIFA and UEFA officials Joseph Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini of fraud in connection with a US$2 million deal they struck.

Swiss authorities have charged ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA president Michel Platini with fraud over an “unlawful” payment of US$2.18 million sent by FIFA to Platini in early 2011.

In a blow to organized crime groups profiting off of illegal gambling networks, Interpol aided police raids across Asia and Europe, which seized US$7.9 million in cash and arrested approximately 1,400 suspects, the organization reported on Tuesday.

In the past three years, investigators say at least 10 matches in the Republic of Georgia's football league have either been fixed or have shown extremely suspicious betting patterns. Thousands of dollars have been wagered online in both Georgia and worldwide on sleepy Second Division matches often attended by fewer than 50 people.

One of the eight Georgian referees arrested for match-fixing. Watchdogs say Georgia notorious for throwing matches. (Photo courtesy of Georgian police)