Two qualifying matches in the UEFA Europa Conference League’s first round have raised suspicions of match-fixing and unusual betting activity. The matches involved teams from Armenia, Montenegro, Latvia, and North Macedonia. While there is no concrete evidence of wrongdoing at this point, the matches’ suspicious betting patterns have prompted investigations.
Match Details:
The first match featured a dominating performance by Armenia’s Alashkert, defeating Montenegro’s Arsenal Tivat 6-1, resulting in a 7-2 aggregate win. The second match witnessed Latvia’s RFS securing a 4-1 victory over North Macedonia’s Makedonija GP, leading to a 5-1 aggregate score. Both matches were played on July 20th and caught the attention of authorities due to irregular betting activities.
UEFA’s Response:
UEFA, the governing body for European football, refrained from commenting on ongoing investigations to maintain the integrity of the process. However, they emphasized their commitment to addressing match-fixing and providing expertise to national associations through Integrity Officers. As a consequence of the suspicions, both RFS and Alashkert have been suspended from the tournament.
Club Statements:
In response to the allegations, Latvian club RFS stated their commitment to the highest standards in football, both on and off the pitch. They emphasized the importance of integrity principles in football and maintained that they always strive to prove themselves through their performance.
IBIA Report:
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported that Europe accounted for the majority of suspicious alerts, with 34 out of 50 cases reported in its Q2 2023 report. This underscores the ongoing challenges related to match-fixing in European football.
The suspected match-fixing cases in the UEFA Europa Conference League serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding integrity in sports. Investigations will determine whether any wrongdoing occurred, but they highlight the need for continued vigilance and preventive measures to protect the integrity of football competitions.