NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Malta’s soccer association says UEFA banned its player Kevin Sammut for 10 years for helping to fix a 2008 European Championship qualifying match.
Sammut has denied helping to manipulate the result of Malta’s 4-0 loss away to Norway in June 2007.
The Malta FA says the UEFA disciplinary verdict bans Sammut from “any football-related activity.” The MFA says FIFA will be asked to extend the ban worldwide.
The 31-year-old Sammut can challenge the sanction at UEFA’s appeals panel.
UEFA investigated claims made by members of a Croatian syndicate who were convicted of match-fixing last year in Bochum, Germany.
Sammut was substituted at halftime in the Euro 2008 qualifier when Malta trailed 1-0. Norway scored three late goals to boost wagers on how many would be scored.
