Metz players were offered money to play poorly in a match against Lyon

Metz players were offered money to play poorly in a match against French champion Lyon, according to a newspaper report Saturday.

French sports daily L'Equipe reported that a man with "a Belgian accent" contacted an agent representing several Metz players and offered him Ђ200,000 (US$235,490) before their Oct. 22 home match, which Metz lost 4-0.

The paper reported that the agent refused and the caller said he would contact 10 players himself.

According to L'Equipe, one unnamed Metz player was called on the eve of the match by the suspect and asked to "put his feet up" against Lyon. The newspaper said the player denied this when contacted.

Metz president Carlo Molinari and Frederic Thiriez, president of the French soccer league, both plan to investigate the matter.

"According to this publication, all the players are suspects," Molinari said, reported AP. P.T.