By David Gold
June 28 – Police have found no evidence of match fixing in Cyprus last year, despite UEFA claiming that such corruption almost certainly took place during four games.
The matches in question took place between February and March 2010, and involved the likes of AC Omonia, Ethnikos Achnas and Ermis Limassol.
UEFA had handed over four files, two of which were yellow, indicating that those matches “could have been fixed”, and a further two red, implying that those games were “most probably fixed.”
The case has occurred at the same time as a huge betting ring is being investigated in neighbouring Greece, prompting criticism of the time taken by Cypriot authorities to reach a conclusion.
A police announcement read: “The police feel that wrong impressions are being created and that it is wrong for some to attempt to make comparisons to the similar case that it is developing in Greece, where the prosecuting authorities operate under a completely different legal framework.”
The Cypriot police have been criticised for failing to seek the help of UEFA when investigating the case, given that their advice was what had led to the opening of the case.
UEFA vice-chairman Marios Lefkaritis has said that the organisation can do little about the findings.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1738334536labto1738334536ofdlr1738334536owedi1738334536sni@d1738334536log.d1738334536ivad1738334536