PSG vs Red Star Belgrade: France launch probe

Fr e n c h p r o s e c u t o r s have opened an investigation into allegations of match-fixing regarding Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade.

The office of the National Finance Prosecutor confirmed on Friday it is looking into PSG›s 6-1 victory. According to L’Equipe, Uefa alerted the French authorities to a possible manipulation of the game’s scoreline days before the fixture took place.

It’s been claimed that, prior to last week’s clash, a senior figure at Red Star placed a £ 4.4m bet on his team to lose by a five-goal margin.

PSG went on to beat their Serbian opponents 6- 1 at the Parc des Princes, with Neymar hitting a hat-trick alongside goals from Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe.

With the score at 5-0 with 16 minutes to play, Marko Marin pulled one back for the visitors but Neymar restored PSG’s five-goal advantage with his third strike in the 81st minute. Red Star travel to Anfield for their next Champions League group game before heading home to Belgrade for the return fixture in November.

When approached for comment, Uefa said: “Uefa never comments on potential, or the existence of, investigations into alleged match-fixing as to not compromise the process of such investigations.

“Uefa only communicates on specific cases/matches once disciplinary proceedings have been opened and/ or decisions have been taken.”

Red Star strongly denied the allegations. “FC Red Star with the highest anger and abomination rejects the story L’Equipepublished today about (the) suspicious result of the PSG vs Red Star match and involvement of anyone from our club in possible wrongdoings,” said a club statement.

“Today’s technologies and other mechanisms are so improved that it is basically impossible to leave this case unsolved. THE INDEPENDENT