Tirana and Vllaznia in match-fixing scandal
05/02/2013 00:00
Linda Rama: Between Family, Work and Albania’s Future 18/08 14:30
European Police “Europol” signalized the biggest match fixing scandal in
history. 380 matches across the continent are under investigation
involving 425 match officials, club officials, players and criminals.
The profits, according to Europol, generated over €8 million in betting
profits and involved over €2 million in corrupt payments to those
involved in the matches.
Albania has been suspected for along time of being involved, especially in the qualification matches for European championships, but no investigation has been thorough enough to get evidence, and the clubs have always denied the accusations.
But now it might be difficult to leave those suspicions as simple speculation. “Bild”, one of the biggest German newspapers, says that there are two Albanian football clubs suspected of participating in match fixings.
And the accusations are related exactly with the first qualification matches of the European championships. According to Bild, the matches in question are Stabaek-Tirana 4-0, Rapid Vien – Vllaznia 5-0, and the Vllaznia-Rapid Vien 0-3.
The list made public by Bild also has three other matches that affect non-Albanian teams. A confidential document from UEFA, made public last month, mentioned 97 matches that were fixed in the Albanian leagues and international matches, putting Albania in the black list with a high number of fixed matches.
It is yet unknown if there are other matches involved in the scandal, but according to Bild, the matches involving Tirana and Vllaznia are not considered suspicious but already proven. This is based on the fact that Europol, different from UEFA, investigates and sends concrete evidence. The European Police secret agents have worked in 13 countries and have recorded 13.000 phone calls and e-mails.
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