What if the game you love is tainted by corruption at the highest levels? A former head of an international crime investigation unit has dropped a bombshell, claiming that some Premier League players are involved in match-fixing. This revelation raises eyebrows and sparks serious questions about the integrity of football, not just in England but across Europe.

Fredrik Gardare, who once led a Swedish police unit dedicated to uncovering organized crime in sports, believes crucial evidence has been overlooked following a raid on an illegal casino. During this raid, which occurred in late 2021, authorities collected multiple phones, one of which allegedly holds damning messages on the Telegram app, suggesting players collaborated with criminals to fix matches, including international games in the Nations League.

Among Gardare's notable past investigations is the case against former Manchester City midfielder Dickson Etuhu, who was found guilty of bribery in an attempt to manipulate matches in Sweden. He faced a five-year ban from football. Now, Gardare insists that the evidence from the casino raid suggests that multiple Premier League players are involved in similar activities, raising the specter of wider corruption.

Despite the gravity of these claims, the FA (Football Association) is yet to receive the full findings from the Swedish police investigation and is eager to assess the implications. Gardare has expressed frustrations over why such a significant inquiry was seemingly tucked away. 'It was very high priority from my side,' Gardare shared with Daily Mail Sport, emphasizing the importance of the investigation. 'I set my whole team on this investigation, but the police said, “We are finished with this” in December that year.'

He continued, 'There was more than one Premier League player found on the phone. They were betting on yellow cards, corners, and other aspects in matches.' The phone, which holds vital information, is still with either Stockholm police or the national police force, leaving many unanswered questions.

Additionally, Johan Claesson, integrity officer for the Swedish FA, acknowledged receiving 'general intelligence' regarding potential match-fixing but emphasized that specific actionable insights were not provided due to the ongoing police investigation. This leaves fans and officials alike wondering how deep this rabbit hole goes and what it means for the future of football.

As the pieces of this troubling puzzle come together, one can’t help but think: if players are indeed involved, how can we trust the beautiful game?