Suspensions of players for misconduct are common, but a ban on an entire club is rare. Yet, this is exactly what happened to the Montenegrin club FK Arsenal Tivat.
The Club Received a 10-Year Ban
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) found that FK Arsenal Tivat committed major breaches of the code of conduct by engaging in match-fixing, which is strictly against the rules. As a consequence, Arsenal Tivat has been banned from professional European competitions for 10 years, making them ineligible until at least the 2035-36 season. Additionally, the club was fined EUR 500K (around $580K) for their violations.
UEFA specified the sanctions relate to a match between Arsenal Tivat and Alashkert in July 2023. The first match ended in a draw, but Alashkert won the rematch 6-1.
Several Individuals Were Also Banned
Alongside the club ban, several players and officials received individual bans. UEFA has requested FIFA to enforce these bans globally, ensuring the individuals can’t participate elsewhere.
Three players received 10-year bans, while player Nikola Celebic and sporting director Ranko Krgovic were banned for life from UEFA events.
Further consequences might be imposed by the Montenegrin soccer authorities, pending their decision on whether to apply additional penalties.
Soccer Player Banned for Betting
In other developments, former Cheltenham, Shrewsbury, and Exeter soccer player Ryan Bowman has been banned from competition for three and a half years due to betting on soccer, including his own teams, which violates integrity rules.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com