Match-fixers using sponsorship to infiltrate clubs

FIFA head of security Ralf Mutschke gestures during an interview with journalists at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, January 15, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Buholzer

ZURICH (Reuters) - The threat posed by match-fixers to soccer is as strong as ever with criminals now using club sponsorship as a way of increasing their influence, FIFA's head of security Ralf Mutschke told Reuters in an interview.

Mutschke said he was sad at Interpol's decision to end a "unique collaboration" with world soccer's governing body, although it had not broken his resolve to protect the sport.