The French launch a criminal investigation into Belgian football agent Mogi Bayat

April 12 - The Rennes authorities have opened a judicial investigation against the Belgian-Iranian football agent Mogi Bayat, suspected of "illegal exercise of the profession of players' agent, money laundering and constitution of tape".

"The preliminary investigation carried out by the Rennes public prosecutor's office led to the opening of a judicial investigation on June 29, 2022," public prosecutor Philipe Astruc told the sports daily L'Equipe.

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Bayat has long had close ties with FC Nantes, setting up numerous transfers. The club has so far declined to comment.

This is not the first time the 48-year-old has been targeted by the law.

He is one of the main suspects in Belgium's Operation Zero case, an extensive investigation into Belgian gambling fraud with allegations of counterfeiting, money laundering, match-fixing and membership in a criminal organization. Out of 57 suspects, ten have already reached an agreement with the federal prosecutor's office.

Bayat chaired the Belgian Football Federation (RBFA) from 2019 to 2021 and in 2020 stood for election to the UEFA executive committee, but failed in his bid, with Dutchman Just Spee winning the seat.

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