FIFA Issues Sanctions in Match-Fixing Scandal Involving Estonian and Slovak Players
By BBC News Staff
FIFA has officially imposed sanctions on 15 footballers from Estonia and Slovakia, following the conclusion of a protracted investigation into match-fixing that spanned over three years.
The disciplinary action, confirmed on Thursday, marks a significant step in the global football governing body’s efforts to combat corruption in the sport.
In Estonia, the case dates back to 2011 when a judicial inquiry was launched into alleged fraudulent activity linked to football matches. The Estonian Football Association’s disciplinary committee responded by handing a lifetime ban to Yaroslav Dmitriev, barring him from any football-related activities.
Ten additional Estonian players received suspensions until 1 March 2015, while two others were sanctioned until the end of December 2014. These measures reflect the severity of the findings and FIFA’s stance against manipulating the integrity of the game.
Meanwhile, Slovakia saw two players—Ivan Hodur and Robert Rak—banned for 11 and 15 years respectively. Their suspensions stemmed from involvement in the manipulation of several club-level friendlies in 2011. Slovak authorities, in cooperation with football’s governing bodies, pursued the cases as part of a broader crackdown on domestic match-fixing.
Earlier in 2014, FIFA had already ratified disciplinary actions against six Slovak players, including Hodur, who were found guilty of fixing matches in the Slovak top flight during the 2013/14 season. Penalties ranged from 14 to 25 years, representing some of the most severe non-lifetime bans ever issued in European football.
FIFA emphasized that these actions serve as a strong deterrent against future misconduct and reaffirm the organisation’s commitment to preserving the sport’s integrity worldwide. The coordinated effort between national federations and international authorities highlights the complex and far-reaching nature of match-fixing investigations.
This latest announcement reinforces FIFA’s zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation, as the organization continues to work closely with domestic leagues and law enforcement agencies to root out corruption at every level of the game.
Reporting by BBC News.
