FIFA Extend Worldwide Sanctions for Multiple Match-Fixing Offences

FIFA has extended the sanctions imposed on a number of individuals related to match-manipulation investigations, there including officials involved in Europa League matches.

Andranik Arsenyan and assistant referee Hovhannes Avagyan, both of Armenia have been banned from ‘all football-related activities for life’ after they admitted to attempt to manipulate a Europa League qualifier in July.

On top of this, the Estonian Football Association has banned the player Elvis Liivamägi from all football related activities for life following domestic match-fixing allegations.

An official statement from said: “The decision by the Estonian FA Disciplinary Committee on 7 August 2013 was upheld by the association’s Appeals Committee on 23 August 2013 after the player’s appeal against the imposed sanction was rejected. The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has extended the sanction to have worldwide effect in accordance with article 78 paragraph 1(c) and article 136ff of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”

Lebanese referee Ali Sabbagh has also been provisionally banned by the AFC after attempting to manipulate an AFC Cup match in Singapore in April 2013.

Marouane Troudi and Mahmoud Dridi as well as the official Amir Jaziri have been provisionally suspended by the Tunisian Football Association after a domestic case of manipulation.

The official statement continued: “FIFA continues to work closely with its member associations and the confederations to tackle the issue of match manipulation. As part of a ten-year programme of collaboration with INTERPOL, regional workshops are being organised all over the world to educate stakeholders and provide them with tools to better protect the integrity of the game.”