SPORTS

UEFA charges Macedonian club with match-fixing

March 26, 2009

UEFA have charged Macedonian club FK Pobeda, its president and one player with match-fixing, European soccer's governing body said Thursday.

"The match under investigation was the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round game between FK Pobeda and FC Pyunik on 13 July 2004," UEFA said in a statement.

Pyunik, the winners of 11 Armenian league titles, won the first qualifying round tie 4-2 on aggregate.

UEFA said the first-leg in Macedonia, which Pyunik won 3-1, was the match under investigation.

"The charge is based on reports received from the betting industry on irregular betting patterns and the declarations of several witnesses. The Control & Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on 17 April."

FK Pobeda president Aleksandar Zabrcanec denied the allegations.

"We have never been involved in any such affair," Zabrcanec said.

"You can win or lose, but that's sport and there was nothing controversial in our defeat to Pyunik," he added.

"We have been notified by the Macedonian Football Federation that UEFA has started a procedure and we will state our official position on the matter soon."

Source: REUTERS
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