UEFA Hands Montenegrin Club AK Arsenal Tivat 10-Year Ban
The club will not be able to participate in any competitions governed by UEFA until the 2034-35 season, including Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body CEDB took this decision following an investigation into charges related to match-fixing during the team's Conference League game against Armenian club Alashkert in 2023.
Arsenal Tivat drew against Alashkert 1-1 in the first round before they faced a heavy loss of 6-1 in the second leg.
UEFA stated that they will ask FIFA, world football's governing body, FIFA, to increase the ban to be applied in global competitions.
Arsenal Tivat player Nikola Celebic and official Ranko Krgovic also were banned for life and two other players were suspended for 10 years. Tags: Arsenal TivatFootballUEFA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Not for Sale: Real Madrid Block Big-Money Bids for Brahim Díaz
Real Madrid are close to finalising a new long-term contract for Brahim Díaz, despite continued interest from clubs across Europe and the Middle East. The Moroccan international turned 26 today amid reports of firm approaches from clubs such as Benfica and Fenerbahçe. Despite that, Real Madrid made it clear: he's staying. Spanish news outlet Marca reports that the renewal has been in progress since June, with both sides seeing his role as essential for the upcoming campaign. His current deal runs until 2027, but the extension would keep him at the club until at least 2029. Real Madrid have rejected all offers for the attacking midfielder this summer, including bids from the Saudi Pro League. Reports suggest one unnamed Saudi club offered as much as €65 million, but president Florentino Pérez turned it down after consulting with manager Xabi Alonso. The club see Díaz as a valuable squad player – versatile, reliable, and ready when called upon. He featured in 56 matches last season, scoring six goals and providing eight assists. Despite being a regular substitute, he played a crucial role in tight fixtures, offering tactical flexibility across several attacking positions. Benfica have shown a strong interest in signing Díaz and are keen to bring in a creative midfielder ahead of their Champions League campaign. However, with no green light from Madrid or the player, the Lisbon-based club are unlikely to make headway. Fenerbahçe, coached by José Mourinho, are also monitoring the situation. Mourinho reportedly sees Díaz as a good fit for his system, but again, there is no indication the player is considering leaving. Real Madrid's refusal to part ways with Díaz comes at a time when the club are open to selling other players. Rodrygo Goes, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba are all reportedly on the list of potential summer exits, as the club reshape the squad under Alonso. With Jude Bellingham sidelined for three months following shoulder surgery, Díaz's presence becomes even more vital. His ability to slot into different attacking roles is seen as a key asset during what promises to be a demanding season – both domestically and internationally. Díaz is also preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco, which will take place between December and January. His absence during that period is one of the few complications Real Madrid will need to manage. The Málaga-born midfielder has built a reputation as a dependable performer in difficult moments due to his high work rate and low-profile style that has earned respect in a squad filled with high-profile stars. His career has seen steady progress, from Málaga to Manchester City, then AC Milan, before returning to Madrid in 2023. Now more mature and experienced. A formal announcement on his contract renewal is expected in the coming weeks. Tags: afconBrahim DiazMoroccoReal Madrid
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
After the Sacking and VAR Scandal – What Next for CAF's Refereeing Crisis?
With less than five months to go before Morocco hosts the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has quietly fired its head of refereeing, Noumandiez Désiré Doué. It's the first public move in what appears to be a sweeping internal overhaul. But firing one man won't fix a system riddled with inconsistency, bias allegations, and declining credibility. The timing is no coincidence. CAF's patience snapped following a formal complaint from Morocco over officiating in the Women's AFCON final. The host nation lost to Nigeria in a dramatic 3–2 game, but it was the referee – not the scoreline – that grabbed headlines. Morocco's football federation (FRMF) submitted a CD full of controversial clips, including a disallowed penalty that left the Atlas Lionesses' head coach Jorge Vilda fuming. 'It had a psychological impact that shocked us,' he said. 'That decision determined our fate.' Doué's dismissal was announced during a farewell meeting in Kenya, at a CHAN referees' training camp. Behind the polite farewell lies mounting pressure. African referees have come under fire across women's tournaments, youth qualifiers, Champions League fixtures, Confederation Cup games, and World Cup preliminaries. CAF's refereeing reputation, already battered, is now on life support. Sources close to the Executive Committee confirm that major reforms are on the way. A new refereeing boss will soon be named, with candidates such as Morocco's Redouane Jiyed, Gambia's Bakary Gassama, and Egypt's Essam Abdel-Fattah all under consideration. But the most radical proposal is bringing in foreign referees – European and South American – for AFCON 2025. Yes, that would be sad. CAF, under Patrice Motsepe's leadership, may seriously give the idea some thought as it scrambles to guarantee fairness and technical rigour. It would be an unprecedented admission that Africa's own referees are no match for their colleagues in other confederations. CAF will argue that this is about improving standards. But in truth, it's a matter of survival. Too many federations were let down. North African associations, in particular, have complained of regional bias and political interference. A refereeing blunder in Morocco, the host nation, is exactly the sort of storm CAF can't afford ahead of what is being marketed as the best AFCON in the history of the continent. So will CAF merely reshuffle names and make symbolic gestures? Or will it finally introduce transparency, meritocracy, and independent oversight into its refereeing structures? There's also a risk of alienating African referees entirely. Bringing in outsiders may weather the storm, but it does little to fix the pipeline of talent – or the lack of trust in CAF's own governance. Sacking Doué is not a solution – it's an invitation to start over. Whether CAF answers that call remains to be seen. Tags: afconCAFFIFAFRMF. LekjaaInfantinomotsepeRefereeVAR
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan international Oussama El Azzouzi officially joins AJ Auxerre on loan
The Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise (AJ Auxerre) officially announced this Friday the loan signing of Moroccan international Oussama El Azzouzi for the 2025–2026 season. The announcement confirms the agreement reached between the two clubs several days ago. Joining from Bologna, the 24-year-old defensive midfielder will compete in Ligue 1 on a loan deal without a purchase option. The club welcomed the arrival of the Atlas Lion, highlighting that he will bring «his experience and fighting spirit to Christophe Pélissier's squad». El Azzouzi began his career in the Netherlands but made a name for himself in Belgium. With Union Saint-Gilloise, he featured in 34 matches, including seven appearances in the Europa League. On the international stage, he first joined Morocco's U23 team, won the Africa Cup of Nations in his age category in 2023, and earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At club level, El Azzouzi later moved to Serie A with FC Bologna, which was crowned Italian champion last May for the first time in 51 years. Although an injury hampered his progress, the Moroccan international still managed to contribute two goals and two assists in his debut season with the club.
