FFK responds after public match-fixing allegations involving officials of Ballkani and Llapi

The Football Federation of Kosovo issued a statement on Sunday after suspicions of match-fixing in Kosovan football resurfaced earlier in the day.

In fact, public comments by officials of Ballkani and Llapi brought the issue of match-fixing back into focus, as it usually does in the final rounds of the season. Officials of both clubs have made match-fixing allegations.

The FFK, specifically its Competition Integrity Commission and Competition Commission, said they continuously monitor all league matches.

“At the same time, there is an organization contracted by UEFA which, through its specialized mechanisms, monitors and analyzes matches for matters related to integrity. The FFK has a Competition Integrity Commission, whose representatives are assigned to every match to supervise and report any potential situation that could compromise the integrity of the competition. The Football Federation of Kosovo is fully committed to preserving the integrity of competitions and does not tolerate any form of match manipulation or unlawful interference in sporting results,” the FFK statement reads. 

The Federation has promised that the statements by officials of the two clubs will be treated seriously.

“The FFK will treat them with the utmost seriousness and, in accordance with the regulations in force, will initiate the relevant disciplinary proceedings. The relevant institutions, including the Kosovo Police and other bodies within the National Council for the Prevention and Sanctioning of Violence and Negative Phenomena at Sporting Events, which have already been notified, will also be involved in investigating the case. The FFK is also in continuous communication with the relevant UEFA mechanisms, which have been informed of such statements, while the matches in question have been and remain under monitoring. However, we reiterate that words and statements often circulate in public for various reasons, with the aim of damaging the image of one club or another, as well as the overall image of football in Kosovo. We therefore invite everyone making public allegations to present concrete facts and evidence to the competent authorities. Only on the basis of solid evidence can concrete action be taken and fair processes guaranteed. The Federation guarantees that any individual or club found to be involved in match manipulation or compromising the integrity of competitions will face strict disciplinary measures, up to and including exclusion from all competitions, in accordance with the legislation in force and the FFK’s regulations, as well as UEFA and FIFA rules. We remind you that all clubs seeking to participate in international competitions are under continuous monitoring, since UEFA does not allow teams that compromise the integrity of matches to take part in its competitions.”

The FFK has urged anyone with information about match-fixing to report it to the competent authorities, including the State Prosecutor’s Office.