Match-fixing claims investigated

FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against six match officials in relation to a possible match-fixing charge following an investigation into two international friendly games.

The games under suspicion are Bulgaria against Estonia and Latvia against Bolivia, two friendlies which took place last month. Authorities were alerted due to unusual betting patterns on the two games, which were both being held at the Turkish resort of Antalya.

A FIFA statement read: "FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against six match officials in relation to the international A friendly matches Bolivia v Latvia and Estonia v Bulgaria played in Antalya (Turkey) on 9 February 2011."

It continued: "The proceedings were opened following an evaluation of all documentation and information received by FIFA, in relation to a possible match-fixing situation in these matches. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be in charge to deal with the matter."

Bulgaria and Estonia played out a 2-2 draw hours after Latvia had beaten Bolivia 2-1, with all seven goals coming from the spot.

At the time, Estonian Football Association spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht admitted there had been concern about the matches.

He said: "The friendly was organised by an agency with whom we will not work any more.

"We received information of possible manipulation even before the game as the same agency also organised the match between Latvia and Bolivia and there was the same scenario there."