Fifa investigating Malta football game for alleged match-fixing

Fifa reportedly investigating alleged match-fixing in Malta's 2-0 loss against Lithuania, after betting syndicates placed millions on Malta to lose by two goals or more. 

Lithuania scored a penalty at the end of the game after Jonathan Caruana shoved a player inside the box
Lithuania scored a penalty at the end of the game after Jonathan Caruana shoved a player inside the box

Fifa has reportedly launched a match-fixing investigation into Malta’s recent 2-0 loss against Lithuania

The Sun reported that betting syndicates had staked millions before kick-off and during the game on Malta to lose by two goals or more. The game in Vilnius was level until the 75th minute when Fiodor Cernych gave Lithuania the lead with a header. Seven minutes later, Lithuania doubled their lead through a penalty, after Malta’s defender Jonathan Caruana – who had just  been booked – was sent off for shoving and punching a Lithuanian player inside the box.

Malta’s goalkeeper Andrew Hogg told The Sun that a FIFA official had entered the Maltese team’s dressing room before kick-off to warn them that the game – a World Cup qualifier – might be fixed.

“It was strange and felt very uncomfortable – as if we were being accused of cheating,” Hogg said. “I knew I’d done absolutely nothing wrong and had no idea what they were talking about. But I was left thinking, ‘If I fuck up now I might end up in the police station. In the event, there was nothing I could do about the goals. I made three or four good saves which show I was doing my best. I have absolutely nothing to hide.

“But this could really mess up the group because no one knows what might happen next. It’s a bullshit situation.”

Asked about the penalty, Hogg said: “If you sit down and think about it, you can see why people would be suspicious and it is a sad situation”.

Valletta defender Jonathan Caruana (centre) had conceded a penalty late in the game against Lithuana
Valletta defender Jonathan Caruana (centre) had conceded a penalty late in the game against Lithuana

“But I’m not aware of any players being involved in any wrongdoing that would tarnish the image of football.”

A Fifa official had also reportedly visited the Lithuanian dressing room and the referee before the match.

The Sun quoted sources as saying that Fifa’s early-warning system had picked up big changes in the game’s pre-match odds.

“Fifa alerted both teams and the referee that the betting patterns had been noted. It was minutes before kick-off, but the match was allowed to go ahead.”

A source at the Malta FA also confirmed with the newspaper that a Fifa official had read the team a communication from the global footballing body some ten minutes before kick-off.

“I have never seen this before. It was very strange to have someone come in and say these things. I don’t think it’s appropriate to happen just before the game.”

In 2012, UEFA slapped former Valletta midfielder Kevin Sammut with a ten-year worldwide ban on football after he was found guilty of match-fixing during a Euro 2008 qualifier between Malta and Norway.  

His team-mates Kenneth Scicluna and Stephen Wellman were also charged, but were acquitted due to lack of evidence. 

A Bill to clamp down on match-fixing is currently being drafted by a task force, including representatives from the government, the Opposition, the police, the MFA, the Malta Gaming Authority and Sport Malta. Outgoing MFA secretary-general Bjorn Vassallo has said that the draft legislation should be presented to Parliament before the end of the year.