علی نقابتPolice have carried out raids in seven countries as Belgian prosecutors targeted the country's biggest football clubs as part of an investigation into fraud and match-fixing.
A total of 220 police officers carried out 44 house searches across Belgium as well as in France, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia, Belgian prosecutors said.
"A great number of persons have been deprived of their liberty and taken in for a thorough interrogation," the statement said.
Broadcasters VRT and RTBF said one of the country's most powerful soccer agents, along with referees and officials from top sides Anderlecht and Club Bruges, were being questioned.
Searches were also being carried out at other clubs, including Standard Liege and Racing Genk.
Federal prosecutors told AFP that well-known football agent Mogi Bayat, the former manager of Sporting Charleroi, had been arrested in his home.
According to Belgian daily De Standaard, an investigation has been launched into "financial fraud and money-laundering in the world of football".
