A third-division player arrested in Germany's match-fixing scandal has admitted trying to bribe a goalkeeper to throw a game, his lawyer said Tuesday.

The player, Chemnitz's Steffen Karl, was released late Monday after three days in custody.

During interrogation, Karl told Berlin authorities investigating the scandal that he offered between $20,000 and $26,800 to goalkeeper Georg Koch, who was then playing for second-division Cottbus, lawyer Andreas Bartholome said.

The offer was made before the final day of the second division last May, when Cottbus played Regensburg.

Karl offered the bribe at the request of one of three Croatian brothers who allegedly made huge winnings by betting on manipulated games.

Koch turned down the bribe and did not play in the match because of injury. Cottbus won 3-0.

Berlin prosecutors are investigating 25 people, including four referees and 14 players, suspected of rigging at least 10 games at the behest of a Croatian betting syndicate.

Editor: Donald