Maardu Linnameeskond have withdrawn from the rest of the Esiliiga season after new circumstances emerged in connection with their match against FC Tallinn, the club said on Monday. The Estonian Football Association supported the decision. The 10 September fixture was abandoned in the 78th minute, with Maardu trailing 4-2.
The club said the withdrawal was made in light of the current situation and the need to establish all the facts. The association began a disciplinary investigation on 8th of September into possible breaches involving Maardu, including alleged integrity violations, betting and possible prior fixing of a match’s course or result. Head coach Deniss Kovtun, whose employment with the club has ended, and players Vladislav Tšurilkin and Artjom Volkov were suspended from football activities while the investigation continues.
At the end of September, the association submitted the evidence it had gathered to the Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutor Siret Vaher-Torni said there was suspicion that football match results may have been influenced for financial gain. The circumstances and the possible roles of those involved are being examined in criminal proceedings.
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Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/ametlik-kihlveoskandaali-langenud-maardu-jatab-hooaja-pooleli
