The FAI have banned Athlone Town players Igors Labuts and Dragos Sfrijan for one year for match fixing.
The club were the subject of an investigation into irregular betting patterns during the 3-1 defeat to Longford Town earlier this season.
The investigation stemmed from a UEFA tip-off after it emerged that sums of money were staked on a late goal being scored in that game.
In stoppage time the odds should've been against another goal being scored. In this instance the odds were on another goal, which came from Longford's Enda Curran in the 93rd minute of the game.
The FAI found Labuts and Sfrijan guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, manipulating matches and breaking rules related to betting / gambling
Following the Committee's findings both players have been banned from all football-related activities for 12 months.
The keeper has previously denied he was involved in match fixing, telling the Sunday World back in May:
"I hope everything is going to be good because from my side I'm not doing this.
"I played the game and yeah maybe I made a mistake on the goal, but okay I don't want to talk about this.
"In the second-half I made alot of saves and nobody cares about this."
"I know I'm not a top-class 'keeper. I'm trying my best. Maybe before I think I can play top level but now I understand I'm not a top class 'keeper.
"If I'm a top class 'keeper I'm playing for Real Madrid."
The FAI Statement:
The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that an Independent Disciplinary Committee has found two Athlone Town AFC players to be in breach of FAI rules.
On May 3, an investigation was launched following a UEFA Betting Fraud Detection System report demonstrated 'clear and overwhelming betting evidence that the course or result of' Athlone Town's game against Longford Town in the SSE Airtricity League First Division on April 29 'was unduly influenced with a view to gaining corrupt betting profits'.
The investigation was then widened on May 5 to take a closer look at two other games involving the club. However, the investigators found that there was insufficient evidence around those games to bring any charges, so the investigation focused solely on the game that took place on April 29.
Upon receipt of the UEFA BFDS report, the FAI conducted a full investigation which included conducting interviews with relevant personnel, reviewing match footage and obtaining the opinions of football experts - a final report was prepared and charges were issued.
The Independent Disciplinary Committee met on Monday, September 4 and ruled that Athlone Town AFC players Igors Labuts and Dragos Sfrijan were in breach of three FAI rules:
- Rule 99: Bringing the Game into Disrepute
- Rule 105: Manipulating Matches
- Rule 106: Betting / Gambling
Following the Committee's findings both players have been banned from all football-related activities for 12 months.
The FAI has a zero tolerance policy to match-fixing.
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