Another referee allegedly involved in corruption scandal

Another Brazilian referee allegedly admitted that he took bribes to favor clubs in certain matches this year, authorities said on Wednesday.

Paulo Jose Danelon said he helped fix the results of three matches in this year's Sao Paulo state championship, the federal police said in a statement. Danelon, who was interrogated for nearly six hours, told authorities he received 10,000 reals (US$4,500 Ђ3,800) for each match.

On Tuesday, FIFA suspended referee Edilson Pereira de Carvalho, who confessed to taking bribes in 11 Brazilian league matches this season.

Soccer's governing body announced the suspension a day after the president of the Brazilian soccer federation, Ricardo Teixeira, assured fans the country's national championship would continue.

Carvalho was arrested on Saturday after the news weekly Veja reported on a federal investigation into a corruption scheme run by Internet betting sites. Carvalho allegedly was paid to "guarantee" certain results.

The revelations come less than a month before the trial of Robert Hoyzer in Germany, whose admission in January that he was bribed to ensure the outcomes of games led to the European country's biggest match-rigging scandal in 30 years.

Teixeira told local media on Wednesday he would allow the 11 matches officiated by Carvalho to be replayed if necessary.

The Superior Tribunal of Sports Justice is to decide if the results of eight matches Carvalho refereed remain valid.

There had been no decision on the matches refereed by Danelon.

Veja published transcripts of telephone conversations between Carvalho and businessman Nagib Fayad recorded by government investigators. Carvalho guaranteed Vasco would beat Figueirense in a league match he controlled on Aug. 7. Vasco won 2-1, including a penalty kick by Romario.

Fayad also was arrested.

The referees have been charged with fraud and criminal association, AP reported.