FRENCH GAMBLING OFFICIALS have opened an investigation into Lyon’s sensational 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last night.
The Ligue Un side upset the odds when they scored six times in the second half to finish on eight points – pipping Ajax to second place in Group D and making an unlikely progression to the knockout stages.
Suspicion of match-fixing was rife after television footage picked up on Dinamo defender Domagoj Vida appearing to wink and gesture a ‘thumbs up’ to Bafetimbi Gomis after one of the striker’s four goals on the night.
The club also sacked manager Krunoslav Jurcic just hours after the game despite the fact that they currently top of their domestic league.
ARJEL, a French online gambling watchdog, have now decided to look into the game and are quoted as saying they are “currently carrying out checks”.
However, Dinamo have been quick to deny any wrongdoing on their part. An official statement from the Croatian club read:
“It’s scandalous and malicious to proclaim the Champions League match between Dinamo and Lyon as suspicious which is also underrating of Dinamo’s opponent Lyon just because they got the needed win to qualify to the next round of the Champions League.
“GNK Dinamo strongly objects to all domestic and foreign media speculation about any dishonourable actions regarding the game result. A better team with an extra player won the game in Maksimir and managed to qualify for the next stage of the UEFA Champions league.”
Meanwhile, Lyon have backed the decision to investigate the match.
“Lyon have become aware of the checks being carried out this morning by ARJEL, which fit with the procedures of the agency responsible for the regulation of online gaming,” a statement released today said.
“The club agree totally that action should be taken when a result is considered atypical.”
Lyon sporting director, Bernard Lacombe also waded in on the incident, calling it “total rubbish”
“Did they open an investigation at half-time when it was 1-1? I don’t give a damn what the Ajax manager says. Apparently we are also responsible for the refereeing of the match in Amsterdam …” he added.
YouTube credit: Trabzonnethaber
