'Untrue!' - Red Star angrily reject claims of match-fixing over PSG Champions League defeat

Red Star Belgrade have responded with the “highest anger and abomination” to a report of match-fixing by the club in their most recent Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG hosted Red Star on October 3 for the clubs' second Champions League match in Group C, with the Parisians coming away with a comfortable 6-1 victory.

The hosts jumped out to a 4-0 lead during the first half, and scored a fifth in the 70th minute before Red Star notched a goal of their own four minutes later.

It was no more than a consolation effort, with Neymar completing the scoring, and his hat-trick, in the 81st minute to give PSG an easy victory.

However, a report from L’Equipe details allegations UEFA received of match-fixing by Red Star in which a senior member of the Serbian club, with others, intended to place a bet of several million euros on the team to lose by five goals.

The report states French authorities have opened an investigation into the matter after UEFA notified them of the allegations.

Red Star have now released a statement vehemently denying the accusations, and demanding an UEFA investigation into the matter in order to clear the club’s name.

"FC Red Star with the highest anger and abomination rejects the story L'Equipe published today about suspicious result of the PSG vs Red Star match and involvement of anyone from our club in possible wrong doings,” the statement read.

"The article can harm and bring big damage to our club's reputation and that is why we insist that UEFA and investigators in Serbia and in France investigate the whole story and get the truth."

"Today's technologies and other mechanisms are so improved that it is basically impossible to leave this case unsolved. FC Red Star expects to get the truth at short notice and remove any doubt about our involvement in possible wrongdoing."

Responding directly to L’Equipe, honourary Red Star president Dragan Dzajic told the publication: “This is the first that I have heard of it. I know absolutely nothing about this. It is not possible. It is untrue!"

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PSG have also expressed surprise and anger over the allegations, and reaffirmed their commitment to the integrity of the sport.

"It is with utmost amazement and indignation that we have learned of the information that you have shared," PSG said in a statement to L’Equipe.

"At no time has a member of the club been asked to discuss any matters other than those strictly related to the organisation of the match, namely meetings, visits & other standard lunchtime protocol in the build-up to Champions League matches."

"On this occasion, PSG reiterates our attachment to fundamental sporting principles, the integrity of competitions & consequently refuses any form of practice that could call that integrity into question."

UEFA has declined to comment to Goal on the allegations, saying in a statement: “UEFA never comments on potential, or the existence of, investigations into alleged match-fixing as to not compromise the process of such investigations.

“UEFA only communicates on specific cases/matches once disciplinary proceedings have been opened and/or decisions have been taken.”