UEFA given a suspended sentence to Romanian Champions Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday, following investigations into match-fixing allegations.
Steaua were handed a one-year provisional ban, with a five-year probationary period.
Club officials at Steau Bucharest were thought to have paid teams playing Steaua’s title rivals, to offer an additional performance incentive, but did not attempt to fix the outcome of their own matches.
Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas were also investigated and handed harsher sentences.
And Steau fans were happy with the outcome –
SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Ion Ginel, 35, Steaua Bucharest fan” It’s a welcome decision for all of us, for all Steaua supporters and for Romanian fans as well. To be honest I wasn’t expecting this myself, but it’s a fair and good decision.”
A vocal group of Steaua supporters had gathered at the airport in Bucharest to welcome their team back.
