VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Several players from the Malta national water polo team are under investigation for allegedly betting on their matches at the European Championships currently underway in Belgrade, according to the “Times of Malta.”
Sources familiar with the investigation have said that four athletes, currently in Serbia for the final stages of the tournament, are suspected of betting on the goal difference in Malta’s opening match against Montenegro, played last Saturday.
According to investigators, the players attempted to manipulate the match, which ended in a 21-12 defeat for Malta. This appears to be the only match currently under investigation, although sources do not rule out the possibility that the subsequent match against France could also be scrutinized if new information emerges. All the suspected players took part in yesterday’s match against Israel.
European Aquatics stated that it is aware of the reports of alleged match-fixing, but has not yet received any official communication. If confirmed, the allegations would represent a serious blow to Maltese water polo, which has seen significant progress and increased international visibility in recent years.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
