UEFA slams a club with unprecedented 10 year match fixing ban

In a landmark decision, UEFA has handed down one of its harshest penalties to date, banning Montenegrin club FK Arsenal Tivat from all European competitions for a staggering ten years. The club, which competed in the 2023/24 UEFA Europa Conference League, was also hit with a substantial €500,000 fine following an extensive investigation into "alleged violations of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations" related to match integrity and match-fixing.

The severe sanctions stem from an inquiry into a specific match between FK Arsenal Tivat and Alashkert FC in July 2023. European football's governing body confirmed its decision in a statement released on its official website.

The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) found FK Arsenal Tivat guilty of violating Article 11 (General principles of conduct) and Article 12 (Integrity of matches and competitions and match-fixing) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has announced the following decisions:

"Charges against FK Arsenal Tivat:

- General principles of conduct, Art. 11 D

- Integrity of matches and competitions and match-fixing, Art. 12 DR

Decision

The CEDB has decided:

- To fine FK Arsenal Tivat €500,000 and to exclude FK Arsenal Tivat from participating in UEFA club competitions for the next ten (10) years (i.e. up to and including the 2034/35 season) for the violation of Art. 11 and 12 D

- To request FIFA to extend worldwide the above-mentioned ban."

As a result of these violations, FK Arsenal Tivat will be barred from participating in any UEFA club competitions, including the prestigious Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, until at least the 2034/35 season.

UEFA has also formally requested FIFA to extend this ban worldwide, effectively preventing the club from participating in any international football.

This decade-long exclusion marks the longest ban imposed by UEFA since FK Pobeda of North Macedonia received an eight-year ban for match-fixing back in 2009. The unprecedented length of this new ban underscores UEFA's firm commitment to eradicating corruption and upholding the integrity of its competitions.