Stephen Bradley calls for 'severe' punishments for match fixing

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has urged "severe punishments" for any individual involved in match fixing.

It comes after events on Wednesday which saw 10 men, aged from their 20s to 60s - including League of Ireland players and officials - arrested in a series of raids in Dublin, Cork and Limerick on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.

All 10 men arrested have been subsequently released from garda custody.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Hoops manager Bradley urged harsh sanctions for anyone found guilty of match fixing.

"If anyone's found guilty they should face severe punishment," he said.

"We don't need that in any sport and we definitely don't need it in football and we don't want it.

"So like I said, if anyone's found guilty there should be severe punishment."

On the potential negative impact for the image of the league, he added: "We've got to understand it's an isolated incident and the league is really progressing and really doing well.

"The standard of football is really good, crowds are up and there is going to be investment in stadiums over the next few years. There's a lot more positive news than negative news regarding the league.

"But like I said, (match fixing) is something that we don't want and we don't need."

Bradley was speaking after Rovers' 3-0 win at bottom side UCD which puts his side seven points clear at the top of the Premier Division before second-placed Derry City play their game in hand on Friday against Dundalk.

"I thought we were very, very good first half," he said, alluding to his side scoring all three goals within 17 minutes through Barry Cotter, Danny Mandroiu and Rory Gaffney.

"This is why the team are champions the last two years. You show up every round, every week, home or away, big crowd, small