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Fixed: My Secret Life as a Match Fixer
'Exposes a dark and corrupt underworld in British football' Joao Castelo-Branco, ESPN
'Gritty, dark and inspiring - you won't have read a story like this before' Daniel Taylor, The Athletic and New York Times
'The descent from talented footballer to convicted criminal is shocking. The journey thereafter is nothing short of inspirational' Rob Dorsett, Sky Sports
'A compelling and necessary story' Nicolas Sayde, Council of Europe
***
In 2012, English football was rocked by the biggest match-fixing operation to hit these shores in the modern era. An Asian syndicate had infiltrated the Conference South with players being offered vast sums of money to help rig games and net millions of pounds for the fixers. Loyal fans attending matches were oblivious to the fact that outcomes had been predetermined. The remarkable story of how this syndicate was able to take hold of the national sport is told to us by a man who not only played in many of these games, but went to jail for helping to fix them - Moses Swaibu.
Fixed breaks new ground as Moses Swaibu becomes the first player ever to write openly about how he helped to fix games, revealing exactly what happens on the pitch when a match is being manipulated. He also exposes how the criminal gangs operate, how young professional players are targeted and groomed and the threats of violence that are used to keep them in check. From fixer, to rehabilitation, Swaibu's story of redemption offers a fascinating insight into the ugly side of the beautiful game. This is a sporting account like none ever written before.
'Gritty, dark and inspiring - you won't have read a story like this before' Daniel Taylor, The Athletic and New York Times
'The descent from talented footballer to convicted criminal is shocking. The journey thereafter is nothing short of inspirational' Rob Dorsett, Sky Sports
'A compelling and necessary story' Nicolas Sayde, Council of Europe
***
In 2012, English football was rocked by the biggest match-fixing operation to hit these shores in the modern era. An Asian syndicate had infiltrated the Conference South with players being offered vast sums of money to help rig games and net millions of pounds for the fixers. Loyal fans attending matches were oblivious to the fact that outcomes had been predetermined. The remarkable story of how this syndicate was able to take hold of the national sport is told to us by a man who not only played in many of these games, but went to jail for helping to fix them - Moses Swaibu.
Fixed breaks new ground as Moses Swaibu becomes the first player ever to write openly about how he helped to fix games, revealing exactly what happens on the pitch when a match is being manipulated. He also exposes how the criminal gangs operate, how young professional players are targeted and groomed and the threats of violence that are used to keep them in check. From fixer, to rehabilitation, Swaibu's story of redemption offers a fascinating insight into the ugly side of the beautiful game. This is a sporting account like none ever written before.
- GenresFootballNonfiction
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 27, 2026
In an era of increased gambling addiction, digital back door deals, and unending urban poverty mixed with the compounding that comes with systemic racism "Fixed" is an account that feels both already outdated and yet still timely. The methods change. The outcomes and motivations remain. This story isn't just a memoir of an event or enterprise. It is a profile of social conditions that continued to be ignored or insufficiently addressed that enable corruption to feed temptation.
Many elements of Swaibu's story aren't unique. Unfortunately too many, as the author gives plenty examples of from within his own circles, fall even harder to the same core circumstances. Even if the details might shift. Rooted in abuse and low income to education support and opportunities it leads into a career that is unstable in every manner. I would argue that the design of sports leagues both in rank, it's practical rather than purported operations, culture of the locker room and management, and weak accountability should be one of the biggest red cards this story waves.
I commend the author for his mission going forward and all the work he's done to reflect, improve, and most importantly heal. And there is a storyteller in here. The book as a whole, however, may be a victim of the editorial system.
There are several points that are repetitious. More than just mirroring the opening, we end up reminded of facts or events that happened just prior. It's counterproductive. Piling on recaps muddles the timelines instead of nudging the reader's memory. I will say it lets the author keep what seems to be his authentic voice in the style, and think he did a fine job of narrating it. But it feels as much a diary or personal journal rather than a profile of the crime. That's fine. Even preferable to me. But is marketed as the later that could skew some expectations.
"Fixed" has its weak points as many first books do. That should not negate it being an important tale with a strong message. I hope it will be inspirational to those who have faced similar choices. I would honestly be curious to see the author stretch into another genre or story to see his writing develop.
Many elements of Swaibu's story aren't unique. Unfortunately too many, as the author gives plenty examples of from within his own circles, fall even harder to the same core circumstances. Even if the details might shift. Rooted in abuse and low income to education support and opportunities it leads into a career that is unstable in every manner. I would argue that the design of sports leagues both in rank, it's practical rather than purported operations, culture of the locker room and management, and weak accountability should be one of the biggest red cards this story waves.
I commend the author for his mission going forward and all the work he's done to reflect, improve, and most importantly heal. And there is a storyteller in here. The book as a whole, however, may be a victim of the editorial system.
There are several points that are repetitious. More than just mirroring the opening, we end up reminded of facts or events that happened just prior. It's counterproductive. Piling on recaps muddles the timelines instead of nudging the reader's memory. I will say it lets the author keep what seems to be his authentic voice in the style, and think he did a fine job of narrating it. But it feels as much a diary or personal journal rather than a profile of the crime. That's fine. Even preferable to me. But is marketed as the later that could skew some expectations.
"Fixed" has its weak points as many first books do. That should not negate it being an important tale with a strong message. I hope it will be inspirational to those who have faced similar choices. I would honestly be curious to see the author stretch into another genre or story to see his writing develop.
Review of advance copy
Listened to this as an audiobook through my library. Goodreads is saying it still hasn't been published yet so not sure what's going on there maybe the audiobook has come out first?
It is read by the author which I really enjoy and gives insight into a world which I know very little about, so was really interesting.
It is read by the author which I really enjoy and gives insight into a world which I know very little about, so was really interesting.
May 14, 2026
Good book. Nice insight into the world by somebody in it.
Obviously the author is a criminal and feels sorry for himself a bit. But I enjoyed the yarn and am pretty sure this will still be happening all over the place in the lesser leagues. I’m sure it happened in the Celtic Motherwell game last night.
Can’t stand cheats but did enjoy the book.
Obviously the author is a criminal and feels sorry for himself a bit. But I enjoyed the yarn and am pretty sure this will still be happening all over the place in the lesser leagues. I’m sure it happened in the Celtic Motherwell game last night.
Can’t stand cheats but did enjoy the book.
October 4, 2025
Hard to know what to believe in this book. By his own admission the author is an inveterate liar.
Proofreading is very poor.
Proofreading is very poor.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews