Liverpool's Champions League group investigated for match-fixing after PSG's clash with Red Star Belgrade targeted

Paris st Germain's Neymar celebrates scoring against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League [Courtesy]

French police are investigating possible match-fixing in Liverpool's Champions League group after a tip-off from UEFA.

French champions PSG eased to a simple 6-1 victory over the Serbian side on October 3 - with Neymar crashing home an impressive hat-trick at the Parc des Princes.

But in the days leading up to the match, UEFA received a tip-off that a senior official at Red Star Belgrade, who has not been identified, along with accomplices, were ready to place a megabet on their outfit to lose heavily.

According to L'Equipe, a member of the Red Star travelling party bet €5million, or £4.3m, on the Serbian side to lose the fixture by five goals.

The bet, which would have come in, would have yielded massive profits of tens of millions of euros.

Police in France are now investigating the claims after the National Finance Prosecutor was alerted by UEFA president President Aleksander Ceferin before the fixture.

Contacted by L’Equipe, Red Star Belgrade President Dragan Dzajic said: “You are the first to tell me about this. I know absolutely nothing about this. This is not possible, this is not true.”

PSG beat Red Star Belgrade 6-1 [Courtesy]

A PSG statement said: "It is with the utmost amazement and indignation that we learn the information you are sharing with us today.

"At no time was any club member asked to discuss matters other than those strictly related to the organisation of the match, namely meetings, visits and other official lunches around every UEFA Champions League match.”

In a statement, UEFA said: “UEFA never comments on potential, or the existence of, investigations into alleged match-fixing as to not compromise the process of such investigations.

“UEFA only communicates on specific cases/matches once disciplinary proceedings have been opened and/or decisions have been taken.

“Decisions taken by UEFA’s disciplinary bodies related to match-fixing are listed here."

Along with Neymar's treble, Edinson Carvani, Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe all found the net, before former Chelsea forward Marko Marin pulled a goal back for the visitors.

The victory was PSG's first in this season's competition, after opening their campaign with a defeat to Liverpool. Napoli currently lead Group C, followed by the Reds, PSG and winless Red Star.

Liverpool host Red Star Belgrade in their next Champions League match on October 24 before the return leg back in Serbia.

The revelation comes in the week where Belgian police have so far arrested nine people - including one top referee and three agents – in an investigation into match-fixing and money laundering.

Belgium captain Vincent Kompany said: “When we talk about the world of football, we cannot be surprised.

There is a close link with what goes on in the world of human trafficking, drugs or prostitution.”

Because of the size of the scandal, Belgian second division has been suspended this weekend.