FIFA sanctions officials over match-fixing

FIFA has banned two Lebanese match officials from all football-related activities following allegations of match-fixing.

Assistant referees Ali Eid and Abdallah Taleb are accused of trying to illegally manipulate an AFC Cup match between Tampines Rovers and East Bengal in April.

The sanctions, imposed by the AFC, will now apply worldwide until a disciplinary panel reaches a formal decision on the matter.

Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had claimed that the pair were guilty of “corruptly receiving gratification, in the form of free sexual service.”

“FIFA can today confirm the worldwide extension of sanctions imposed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) against two Lebanese match officials relating to match-manipulation investigations,” a FIFA statement read.

“The AFC has provisionally banned assistant referees Ali Eid and Abdallah Taleb from all football-related activities until such time as the AFC Disciplinary Committee has reached a decision on the matter of both match officials attempting to manipulate an AFC Cup match in April. The provisional measures imposed by the AFC may not be valid for longer than 30 days (art. 132 par. 1 of the AFC Disciplinary Code) and this period may be extended only once by 20 days (art. 132 par. 2 of the AFC Disciplinary Code).

“The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has extended the sanctions to have worldwide effect in accordance with article 78 paragraph 1(c) and article 136ff of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”