UEFA official: We have to be careful so that criminal networks couldn't find way to Azerbaijani championships - INTERVIEW

Baku. 29 December. REPORT.AZ/ Report News Agency presents an interview with the UEFA representative on match-fixing in Azerbaijan, Kamran Jabrayilov:

- You met with players of Azerbaijan national under-19 football team that were in the camp training on December 28 in Baku. Why particularly with this team?

- Because currently under-19 football team is in the camp training.

- Will you hold meeting with all national teams?

- We have plan that wherever possible such presentations will be held for national members. We believe that it is necessary to inform and enlighten them regarding match fixing.

- Do you fear that match fixing may pass to lower age group leagues?

-In any case, information should be given. If to consider the little age and life experience of footballers playing in those leagues, they can be easily engaged in that direction. For this reason, it is necessary to hold awareness-raising events both to protect them and football.

- So far did you receive information about any dubious game in the Youth League?

- There is no real information. In any case, awareness-raising is essential.

- What is the scale of your investigations on match fixing?

- The investigation covers all competitions held under AFFA flag. As a result of investigation, the facts we receive are sent to procuratorial authorities.

- Perhaps you have a lot of work to do and regularly get information from UEFA…

- We have already submitted the information. As you know we have also informed in the AFFA Executive Committee meeting that an official request has been made by our side. We also wait how investigations will go and what legal assessment will be given to these issues.

- When did you receive information from UEFA last time?

- I cannot give detailed information about that.

- Anyway, did you receive information after Executive Committee meeting that took place on December 20?

- No. Completion has not been held since that.

- Though completion was not held, may you receive information about matches that were held in previous months?

- Of course, it comes after a while.

- The president of Professional Football League (PFL) Ramin Musayev disclosed that they suspect two clubs in the first division were involved in match fixing. He said if the suspicions confirmed, those teams will be instantly disqualified from championship. When these suspicions appeared?

- The management reacts in accordance with reports of UEFA, our investigations and information published in media.

- According to media publications those clubs and Turan Tovuz and Agsu?

- Because of ongoing investigation we cannot disclose any names.

- Is situation so difficult? For instance, like on the match of Kashla and Neftchi…

- Of course such issues are serious. Not only with us. As the President of AFFA Rovnag Abdullayev mentioned,n Eastern European countries it happens on a massive scale. The people who are behind that are criminal networks. We have to be careful and vigilant so that those networks don’t find their way to Azerbaijan championships. It is necessary to respond to each slight tip to stop its growing.

- It turned out that four footballers of Rio Ave playing in the Portugal’s Premier League took bribe from Feirense to fix a defeat for their team with a score 1:2. You only mentioned Eastern Europe. But similar things also happen in the West.

- Yes, it also happens in the Western Europe. For instance, I can bring as example Juventus which was sent to Series B in Italy. There are also other examples. Simply, the situation in Eastern Europe is more tense. The reports and meetings of UEFA also maintain that the general situation is not pleasing. Match fixing is disease and virus that continues to spread.

- As part of investigations do you cooperate with Topaz, an only legal operator of sport totalizator in Azerbaijan?

- We try to hold the investigations within AFFA and PFL. Engaging other bodies to this process may undermine the confidentiality. For this reason, we try to conduct internal investigation.

- Is investigation over on the Premier League? The case was closed with only two players and 1 coach?

- There can be additional measures. Because there was an appeal to law-enforcements. They will continue the investigations, if new facts are identified and other people are revealed, they will be taken into account.

- Which body is conducting the investigation?

- Rovnag Abdullayev disclosed them. Probably appeal was made to Prosecutor's office. In general, there was an appeal to the leadership. We have collected the information we had received and submitted.

- When do you think the decision will be disclosed?

- It depends on them. I can't say a definite word.