Athlone hit out at lack of evidence in vowing to vigorously fight FAI match-fixing charge
THE FAI yesterday confirmed that charges have been brought against members of Athlone Town in relation to manipulating matches, betting/gambling and bringing the game into disrepute.
And Sportsmail has learned that two of those charged are part of the playing squad who will appear before an independent disciplinary committee on August 3.
The footballers union, the PFAI, which is representing the two players, said it was hugely disappointed that they had been charged ‘without, it appears, any evidence.
‘The sole basis for the charges are that there were suspicious betting patterns and a panel of three experts were of the opinion that some of players actions were suspicious. No other “evidence” whatsoever has been proffered.
‘The players will defend these allegations vigorously and will do so as far as the Court of Arbitration for Sport if necessary.’
In a statement, the FAI said: ‘The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that charges have been brought against members of Athlone Town AFC as part of the investigation launched following the receipt of a detailed report from UEFA.
‘The charges have been brought under the FAI Rules:
- Rule 99: Bringing the Game into Disrepute
- Rule 105: Manipulating Matches
- Rule 106: Betting/ Gambling.’
The Association began its investigation towards the end of May after a game between Athlone and First Division rivals Longford Town aroused suspicion for irregular betting activities.
Two more fixtures came on the radar as the beleaguered club became mired in controversy.
Athlone received major investment last winter, believed to be from a Chinese benefactor, and there was an influx of new players from Portugal, Italy, Uruguay and France.
Manager Colin Fortune was soon dispensed with and while Roddy Collins was appointed last month, two Portuguese, Ricardo Monsanto and Ricardo Cravo, took charge in between. Cravo, it is understood, told the club he had to return to his homeland for family matters and hasn’t been seen since.
French football agent Marc Fourmeaux was named director of football operations last year and, told
Sportsmail in May that he had done nothing wrong.
And while it has emerged that the First Division outfit have links to Atletico Clube de Portugal (CP), a lowerleague Portuguese side previously suspected of wrongdoing by UEFA, the Frenchman dismissed those connections.
Atletico CP were relegated last season and three current Athlone players – goalkeeper Igors Labuts and midfielders Frederico Hernandez and Jose Viegas – have played for them.
In a document sent by UEFA to the FAI following the ‘irregular betting patterns’ in Athlone’s 3-1 defeat to Longford which sparked this investigation, Labuts and the club’s Latvian defender Kirils Grigorovs were cited as having played in 17 suspicious games scrutinised by football’s European governing body.
There is no evidence of wrong-doing on their part and the same goes for another of Athlone’s new signings, Romanian Dragos Sfrijan who played in four matches examined by UEFA. No disciplinary action was taken by UEFA in relation to any of these games.
Last night, the midlands club issued a statement saying it was ‘important to note that no finding has been made against the club itself, which Athlone Town AFC welcomes.
‘Everyone at Athlone Town AFC denies being involved in match fixing/match manipulation. ’