LONDON (Reuters) – A rigorous integrity system, clear audit trails and information sharing with sports federations mean European betting firms are less at risk than Asian counterparts from gamblers hoping to profit from match-fixing, three British-based firms said on Tuesday.

An inquiry by European police forces, the European anti-crime agency Europol, and national prosecutors has uncovered about 680 suspicious matches allegedly fixed as part of a global betting scam run from Singapore.

LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) – A rigorous integrity system, clear audit trails and information sharing with sports federations mean European betting firms are less at risk than Asian counterparts from gamblers hoping to profit from match-fixing, three British-based firms said on Tuesday.

An inquiry by European police forces, the European anti-crime agency Europol, and national prosecutors has uncovered about 680 suspicious matches allegedly fixed as part of a global betting scam run from Singapore.

CARDIFF (Reuters) – Ireland inflicted an eighth successive defeat on last season’s Six Nations champions and grand slam winners Wales whose fall from grace continued with a 30-22 loss in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday.

Wales were stunned by a 20-point salvo from Ireland in the opening 28 minutes that brought converted tries for wing Simon Zebo and prop Cian Healy.

CARDIFF, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Ireland inflicted an eighth successive defeat on last season’s Six Nations champions and grand slam winners Wales whose fall from grace continued with a 30-22 loss in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday.

Wales were stunned by a 20-point salvo from Ireland in the opening 28 minutes that brought converted tries for wing Simon Zebo and prop Cian Healy.

LONDON (Reuters) – Title-chasing Manchester City, poised to sell striker Mario Balotelli, could not crack resilient Queens Park Rangers and in-form goalkeeper Julio Cesar in a 0-0 draw at the Premier League’s basement club on Tuesday.

City closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to four points but a frustrating night for Roberto Mancini’s side in a wet and windy capital handed United the chance to increase their advantage to seven when they host Southampton on Wednesday.

LONDON, Jan 29 (Reuters) – Title-chasing Manchester City, poised to sell striker Mario Balotelli, could not crack resilient Queens Park Rangers and in-form goalkeeper Julio Cesar in a 0-0 draw at the Premier League’s basement side on Tuesday.

City closed the gap on leaders Manchester United to four points but a frustrating night for Roberto Mancini’s side handed United the chance to increase their advantage to seven when they host Southampton on Wednesday.

LONDON (Reuters) – Third-tier Oldham Athletic rekindled memories of happier days by slaying seven-times winners Liverpool 3-2 at home on Sunday, capping a weekend of FA Cup fourth-round shocks that gave the Premier League a bloody nose.

The hard-up League One side, who put three backroom staff on gardening leave last month to cut costs, were rewarded with a tie against Everton at their antiquated Boundary Park home in the fifth round.

LONDON (Reuters) – While Manchester United and title rivals Manchester City resume their slugfest for Premier League silverware, Aston Villa and Newcastle United meet on Tuesday in a relegation dogfight that neither would have expected to be embroiled in.

Both are mired in deep trouble and staring anxiously downwards at the clubs behind them. For beleaguered managers Paul Lambert and Alan Pardew, a victory cannot come soon enough.

LONDON, Jan 28 (Reuters) – While Manchester United and title rivals Manchesater City resume their slugfest for Premier League silverware, Aston Villa and Newcastle United meet on Tuesday in a relegation dogfight that neither would have expected to be embroiled in.

Both are mired in deep trouble and staring anxiously downwards at the clubs behind them. For beleaguered managers Paul Lambert and Alan Pardew, a victory cannot come soon enough.

LONDON (Reuters) – Third-tier Oldham Athletic stunned seven-times FA Cup winners Liverpool with a shock 3-2 fourth-round win on Sunday and Leeds United caused another big upset by knocking out Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Elland Road.

Holders Chelsea were also heading for a surprise defeat at third-tier Brentford until Fernando Torres hit a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw.