Champions League controversy as Eastern-Europe side booted out…
Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv have been kicked out of the Champions league pending a match-fixing investigation, reports BBC Sport.
Metalist were charged by Uefa last week after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld a five-year ban against sporting director Yevhen Krasnikov for alleged match-fixing.
In 2008, Krasnikov allegedly fixed a Ukrainian league match with minnow Karpaty Lwiw.
The ban lasts for the whole of the 2013/14 season, but if the side lodge an appeal, the ban could be temporarily suspended until after the hearing, meaning their match upcoming tie against German side Schalke in the final qualifying round for the Champions League group stages could still take place.
If the Ukrainians decide against an appeal, Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki, who Metalist beat in the last round, are likely to take their place.
Arsenal’s final qualifying round opponents Fenerbahce could also lose their place in the competition, after being charged by CAS for a similar domestic match-fixing allegation. The Turks have appealed the ban however, and will play their tie against Arsenal, as they do not hear CAS’s decision until after both legs have been played.
A scenario where Fenerbahce beat Arsenal, but are then thrown out of the competition afterwards is still possible – but UEFA haven’t confirmed what action will be taken if this occurs.
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