Malta National Team player banned for 10 years

Via AP-NYON, Switzerland -- UEFA banned Kevin Sammut for 10 years for helping to fix a 2008 European Championship qualifying match, Malta's soccer association said Monday.

Sammut has denied helping to manipulate the result of Malta's 4-0 loss to Norway in June 2007.

The Malta FA says the UEFA disciplinary verdict bans Sammut from "any football-related activity" and FIFA will be asked to extend the ban worldwide.

The 31-year-old Sammut can challenge the sanction at UEFA's appeals panel.

UEFA investigated claims made by members of a Croatian syndicate who were convicted of match-fixing last year in Bochum, Germany.

Sammut was substituted at halftime in the Euro 2008 qualifier when Malta trailed 1-0. Norway scored three late goals to boost wagers on how many would be scored.


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