UEFA Cup - Zenit and Bayern in fixing scandal

Eurosport - Thu, 02 Oct 13:38:00 2008

Zenit St Petersburg have distanced themselves from reports of an alleged attempt by Russian mafia figures to fix last season's UEFA Cup semi-final between the Russian club and Bayern Munich.

Zenit Sankt-Peterburg - 0

Judicial sources in Spain stated that a Spanish investigating judge had sent recordings purporting to reveal a match-fixing plot to German authorities.

Russian champions Zenit crushed Bayern 4-0 at home in the second leg of their tie to win 5-1 on aggregate before going on to beat Rangers in the final of the competition.

"There is nothing to comment on because, even if there is some investigation, Zenit has nothing to do with this," said Alexei Petrov, a spokesman for the St Petersburg club.

"We have nothing to do with whoever it is that is alleged to be behind this, whether it is so-called Russian mafia or whoever," Petrov added.

In a statement issued on the club's website, Zenit said its performance in the matches against Bayern and Rangers "is the best proof the victories were achieved in an honest, uncompromising contest".

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who also serves as president of the Russian Football Union, said the allegations of match-fixing were another attempt to discredit the country's football structure.

"This is not just an attempt to discredit Zenit but Bayern as well. Bayern have many great players, Kahn, Klose, Toni, Ze Roberto, Lucio ... how can you bribe them?" Mutko, who was Zenit president from 1999 to 2003, said on Russian television.

"I don't think you can buy a victory over Bayern."

UEFA said it was aware of the reports about a match-fixing investigation. Bayern stated they had no information about the reports.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. For this to be announced there is definate proof i­ think. And i think it's pretty sad people can lower­ themselves to be bribed.

    Come on play fair.

    From Kate, on Fri 3 Oct 5:50AM

  2. if advocat managed gers in that final, they would have­ played attackin football and might just have won. smith­ plays defensive-even in final! kaunus??

    From tictoc67, on Thu 2 Oct 9:43PM

  3. UEFA should just squash this rumour and think of better­ things to do.

    From Luxy, on Thu 2 Oct 9:09PM

  4. Best chance a Scottish club have of ever winning­ anything in Europe again

    From paul, on Thu 2 Oct 9:05PM

  5. chances are this is just some rumour

    From daniel, on Thu 2 Oct 8:58PM

  6. JUST because the hot favourites didn't win...what­ are they going to do, play a Bayern and Rangers match­ for a rematch?

    From ryanho0001, on Thu 2 Oct 8:24PM

  7. Feeling the heat darthalru? :-)

    From Half A Brain, on Thu 2 Oct 4:07PM

  8. This is @#$%!!!

    From darthalru, on Thu 2 Oct 3:24PM

  9. if zenit are found guilty and the uefa cup is given to­ rangers like in the serie A, does it mean the super cup­ will also be given to man utd?? this should be­ interesting...

    From FunkyDiva8, on Thu 2 Oct 7:55AM

  10. Oh not again,lol flashbacks to the european cup,when we­ lost out to marseille in the semi,only for them to be­ kicked out after playing milan in the final...

    From brian, on Thu 2 Oct 7:20AM

  11. Give the cup to Rangers...lol

    From john.campbell94, on Thu 2 Oct 5:03AM
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