FIFA Impose Bans on Estonian & Lebanese Players for Match Fixing

A Lebanese footballer has been banned from all football-related activities for life and eight Estonian players have been banned for a year due to ‘match-manipulation and fraud’ activities FIFA have confirmed.

The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee extended the sanctions to have worldwide effect on May 6 in accordance with article 78 paragraph 1(c) and article 136ff of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Following a criminal investigation of the State Prosecutor Office, order the Estonian FA disciplinary board opened its own proceedings and decided on 1 March 2013 to impose on each player a one-year ban from all football-related activities in Estonia.

The lifetime ban imposed on the Lebanese player follows investigations by the Lebanese FA-appointed investigation committee beginning in January that related to actions of betting and corruption committed by some Lebanese officials and players during certain official matches of the Lebanese national team and other matches of the AFC Cup.

Last month, FIFA confirmed the extension of sanctions imposed on 23 players and one official involved in the same investigation, with bans ranging in length from one football season to a lifetime.

In this most recent case, further information was required from the Lebanese FA before a decision could be made by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.