A Dutch national who is suspected of fixing football matches has told a court in Germany he had bribed players from German club Sankt Pauli and then bet on the outcome via Asian betting agencies.

Paul R is appearing in court along with three other suspects: former Sankt Pauli players René Schnitzler and Bjorn Brunneman and a middle man.

Paul R was extradited to Germany in January and is suspected of involvement in large-scale match-fixing in 2008 and 2009. He is also considered to be a central figure in an international match-fixing ring.

R, known as ‘Rooie Paul’, comes from Noordwijk and was in jail in the Netherlands for fencing stolen paintings.

The court case is being followed with interest by Dutch football officials who want to know if R will name any other names in court, particularly in relation to potential match-fixing in the Netherlands.

According to news agency ANP, the German authorities have passed relevant information to the Dutch public prosecution department.