By Andrew Warshaw
August 9 – UEFA has suspended two Armenian officials who attempted to “manipulate the outcome” of a Europa League fixture last month.
Referee Andranik Arsenyan and assistant Hovhannes Avagyan took charge of FC Inter Turku vs Vikingur on July 11 and both have apparently admitted they had tried to change the game which ended 1-0 to Vikingur.
Arsenyan awarded two late penalties, reportedly to help ensure both teams scored. Vikingur, from the Faeroe Islands, netted in the 78th minute but Turku missed two minutes later.
The UEFA betting fraud detection system – which monitors more than 32,000 matches across Europe – had detected “deeply suspicious betting patterns” around the fixture, prompting the start of an investigation.
A UEFA statement read: “UEFA is pleased with the excellent cooperation of the HFF (Football Federation of Armenia), the local authorities and the betting operators during the investigation process.
“Today, the chairman of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to suspend with immediate effect, and for any football-related activities, both match officials. At the same time, a disciplinary proceeding has been opened in accordance with Article 12 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (integrity of matches and competitions, and match-fixing).
The pair, also suspended by their federation, have been recognised as FIFA match officials since January 2012.
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