MUMBAI: Football, the most popularised in the world, is gathering dirty money. Match fixing is a serious threat as criminal gangs are trying to control the sport by buying clubs and organising referee training camps, according to Fifa security chief.Chris Eaton.

Criminality, however, can be defeated and it is not an impossible situation. Eaton said this can be achieved through good due diligence, regulation and oversight.

Soccer‘s governing body wants to provide witness protection for players who confess when they are approached by match-fixers and would consider rehabilitation for those corrupted at a young age.

Eaton warned that buying clubs was a way for organised groups to control the results of matches. He noted that in countries that are not very economically well off, low-level clubs are being bought. There is also movement and trafficking of players taking place.