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Investigation launched into allegations of match-fixing for PSG vs Red Star Belgrade

French authorities allegedly started investigating PSG's 6-1 win over Red Star after receiving a tip-off from Uefa

Samuel Lovett
Friday 12 October 2018 11:09 EDT
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PSG thumped their Serbian opponents 6-1 in the Champions League
PSG thumped their Serbian opponents 6-1 in the Champions League (Getty)

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French prosecutors 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 regarding the match-fixing allegations, Uefa told The Independent: “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'Equipe published 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.

"The article can harm and bring big damage to our club's reputation and that is why we insist that Uefa and investigators in Serbia and in France investigate the whole story and get the truth.

"Today's technologies and other mechanisms are so improved that it is basically impossible to leave this case unsolved.

"Red Star expects to get the truth at short notice and remove any doubt about our involvement in possible wrongdoing."

PSG have also responded to the allegations. "It is with utmost amazement and indignation that we have learned of the information that you have shared," the club said in a statement to L'Equipe.

"At no time has a member of the club been asked to discuss any matters other than those strictly related to the organisation of the match, namely meetings, visits and other standard lunchtime protocol in the build-up to Champions League matches.

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