South African police says match officials have been bought

"This morning the South African Police Service commenced with Operation Dribble," said Sally de Beer, spokeswoman from the office of national police commissioner Jackie Selebi.

"The purpose of the operation is to effect the arrests of a number of soccer referees and club officials implicated in corruption.

A number of arrests have already been effected Sally de Beer, South African police official

"A number of arrests have already been effected.

"But until the conclusion of the operation, when all the identified targets had been arrested, we cannot reveal operational information, including the numbers involved."

De Beer declined to give further details but revealed that the police hoped to conclude the national operation by the weekend.

Molefi Oliphant, president of the South African Football Association, asked police in April to look into allegations of bribery.

SA cracks down on match-fixing

About 20 referees, players and officials allegedly accepted bribes from club officials, who wanted to alter the results of matches in their favour.

Police commissioner Afrika Khumalo declined to disclose how much money was involved in the scandal.

But he indicated that large sums of cash changed hands.

"I thought some clubs were poor but the substantial amounts being paid to referees made me think twice," Khumalo said.