FAI continuing investigation into Athlone betting scandal with interviews set for early next week

The FAI released a second statement regarding their Athlone Town investigation on Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday they announced that they had initiated an investigation into unusual betting patterns surrounding the game between Athlone Town and Longford Town on 29th of April, having been alerted to the situation by the European governing body, UEFA.

 

 

There was little in the way of further information in the latest release but Abbotstown confirmed that they had written to Athlone Town’s players and staff to arrange interviews which will take place next Monday and Tuesday, the 8th & 9th of May. They also stated that they had been in touch with UEFA to acquire further information on the betting patterns in question along with confirmation that Asian markets were the chief source of UEFA’s concerns.

 

The full statement reads as follows:

 

The Football Association of Ireland would like to provide an update into the investigation on Athlone Town AFC.

 

On May 3, the FAI confirmed that it had launched an investigation into Athlone Town AFC upon the receipt of a detailed report from UEFA highlighting irregular betting patterns in the SSE Airtricity League First Division game against Longford Town on Saturday, April 29.



 

    •       The FAI has written individually to players, coaches and officials at the club outlining arrangements for interview on Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9

 

    •       Further contact has been made with UEFA to establish more detail on the irregular betting patterns contained in its report to the FAI

 

            •           UEFA has confirmed that the biggest movements in betting took place on Asian markets