Polygraph (lie detector) for referees is already a reality. FIFA checks referees before the World Cup to exclude corruption. And what about bookmakers? They track suspicious bets. We tell you how match-fixing is fought and why the polygraph is not a panacea.

Corruption in refereeing

Famous scandals: Italian Colina (possibly honest, but suspected). Ghanaian referee (accused of match-fixing). 2002 World Cup (controversial refereeing). Scheme: referee helps a certain team for money (awards penalties, does not send off a player). Bookmakers notice anomalous bets. Example: a huge amount is bet on a penalty. FIFA began inspections.

Since 2018, all World Cup referees undergo a polygraph test.

How the polygraph works for referees

Before the tournament (2-3 months in advance), referees are called for an interview. Questions: “Are you connected with bookmakers?”, “Did you receive money for influencing the result?”, “Did you make strange bets?”. Pressure, pulse, sweating are measured. If the detector shows a lie, the referee is disqualified, sometimes permanently.

But the polygraph is not 100% accurate: nervousness due to stress can be taken for a lie.

The role of bookmakers

Bookmakers are allies of FIFA. Their algorithms track “strange” bets. For example, in the Turkey - Faroe Islands match, 80% of bets are on over 5.5 total (although the probability is low). The bookmaker signals FIFA. They check for match-fixing. Also, fluctuations in odds before the game are analyzed. If the odds on a penalty drop sharply an hour before the match, there is an investigation.

In 2026, bookmakers will be required to report suspicious bets within 24 hours.

Scandals and penalties

In 2011, German referee Robert Hoyzer was permanently disqualified for taking a bribe from the mafia (match-fixing). In 2025, a referee from Kosovo was disqualified for betting (he bet on his own matches). Penalties: fine (up to 1 million euros), disqualification from 1 year to life, criminal case (in some countries).

The polygraph helps to detect, but not always.

The polygraph and bookmakers are two tools in the fight for the purity of sport. But there is no perfect system. Referees who take bribes find ways to deceive the detector (sedatives, counteranalysis). Bookmakers can make mistakes. The main thing is that sport remains a game, not a business.

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