Football is a game that makes our hearts race with excitement. We cheer for our favourite teams, hoping they’ll win and bring us joy
It’s a sport that unites people from different backgrounds and cultures, creating a shared love for the drama that unfolds on the pitch. But sometimes, the road to victory takes a wrong turn.
We’ll delve into the stories of 10 football clubs that found themselves guilty of some illegal acts, facing the harsh penalties of relegation and point reduction due to their involvement in bribery and fraudulent activities.
Juventus FC (2006)
One of the most high-profile cases in football history, Juventus, the Italian giants, were relegated to Serie B and had their 2004-05 Serie A title revoked. This punishment resulted from their involvement in a match-fixing scandal, which included bribing referees to influence game outcomes.
Olympique de Marseille (1993)
Olympique de Marseille became the first and only French club to win the UEFA Champions League 1993. However, their triumph was tainted by a bribery scandal. The club was stripped of their Ligue 1 title, relegated, and banned from European competitions.
AC Milan (1980)
AC Milan, one of Italy’s most successful clubs, faced a point reduction in the 1980-81 season for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal. This penalty prevented them from participating in European competitions.
Luton Town FC (1992)
Luton Town, an English club, was relegated from the Football League First Division (now the Premier League) in 1992 due to financial irregularities and misconduct. This marked a low point in the club’s history.
SV Ried (2004)
Austria’s SV Ried faced a severe punishment in 2004 when they were relegated and deducted points due to their involvement in match-fixing scandals that rocked Austrian football.
Al-Nasr SC (2017)
Al-Nasr SC, a club from the United Arab Emirates, faced relegation and point deductions in 2017 after they were found guilty of bribery and match-fixing during the UAE Pro-League.
SV Mattersburg (2020)
Another Austrian club, SV Mattersburg, faced relegation and point deductions in 2020 following financial fraud and irregularities allegations. This tarnished their reputation in Austrian football
Fenerbahçe SK (2011)
Fenerbahçe, a Turkish football powerhouse, faced relegation and point deductions in 2011 due to match-fixing allegations in the Turkish Super League. This controversy shook Turkish football to its core.
FC Dynamo Kyiv (2015)
In 2015, FC Dynamo Kyiv, one of Ukraine’s most successful clubs, faced a points deduction for their involvement in a bribery scandal that tainted their domestic league campaign.
10. Portsmouth FC (2010)
Portsmouth FC, an English club, experienced financial difficulties that led to their relegation from the Premier League in 2010. Their financial woes were partly due to overspending and mismanagement.
Conclusion
The penalties imposed on these clubs, including relegation and point deductions, demonstrate the commitment of football governing bodies to maintain fairness and integrity in the sport.
Barcelona, a big team in La Liga, is currently in big trouble. They are being accused of doing dishonest things like giving money to referee and being tricky. If they are proven guilty, they might have to go to a lower league. We’ll have to wait and see what happens next.
