Match Outcome Fixed by Bribery, Major Loss Incurred by Bookmaking Company

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, adhering to the principle of protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals and organizations, and prioritizing its functions to combat corruption and crime, received information about a crime from a betting company in September 2019. Following operational and investigative measures, they obtained factual data indicating that a representative of the 'Masis' football club's leadership and one of its athletes had intentionally predetermined the outcome of the match between 'Torpedo Yerevan' and 'Masis' football clubs, which took place on September 6, 2019, through pre-arranged actions for bribery, ensuring a favorable result and victory for 'Torpedo Yerevan'. The betting company incurred substantial property damage due to bets placed by several individuals related to this occurrence.

A criminal case has been opened in the Investigative Department of the NSS of Armenia based on the appropriate article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia regarding the apparent criminal act. Based on a sufficient combination of evidence obtained in the case, the aforementioned individuals involved in the crime have been charged, and a search warrant has been issued for them. The details of the case will be forwarded to the Football Federation of Armenia and UEFA to clarify the circumstances that facilitated the crime and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The investigation is ongoing.