FK Arsenal Tivat's Ban Reduced Following Appeal
FK Arsenal Tivat, a Montenegrin football club, has successfully appealed to UEFA, resulting in a reduction of their ban from European competitions for match-fixing by three years.
In July, the club was handed a ten-year ban after an investigation into their 2023 UEFA Conference League first-round qualifying match against Armenian team Alashkert.
In that tie, Arsenal Tivat drew 1-1 away at Alashkert but suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat in the home leg.
Following the appeal, the ban has now been reduced to seven years, and goalkeeper Dusan Puletic, who was also initially banned for ten years, is now eligible to play again after winning his appeal.
UEFA had determined that the club violated Article 11 of its disciplinary regulations, which pertains to "general principles of conduct," as well as Article 12, concerning the "integrity of matches and competitions and match-fixing."
The original ban was set to last until the end of the 2034-35 season, and the club was fined €500,000 (£433,000).
Additionally, player Nikola Celebic and official Ranko Krgovic received lifetime bans from any football-related activities, while three other players—Cetko Manojlovic, Radule Zivkovic, and Puletic—were initially banned for ten years.
As a result of the appeal to the UEFA Appeals Body, the club's ban will now extend until the conclusion of the 2031-32 season, and the financial penalty has been reduced to €400,000 (£349,000).
Furthermore, Puletic's successful appeal has led to the annulment of his suspension by the UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body.
Last season, Arsenal Tivat secured their position in the Montenegrin First League by winning a relegation play-off.