Was the Euro 2024 group stage the subject of match-fixing? Some deny it.
It was tempting, it’s true. With the convoluted formula desired by this Euro with 24 teamsand the qualification for
the round of 16 sometimes three teams out of four in the same group, the option of a small arrangement in the third and final duel of the first phase was not necessarily to be excluded.
The most glaring example on Wednesday concerned Romania and Slovakia, who in the event of a draw both won their ticket to the knockout phase. At the expense of Ukraine in this case. The behavior of the two selections, hardly belligerent in the second half when the score was already 1-1 at the break, may have reinforced suspicions. Like the frank hugs observed between the 22 actors at the end of the game.
” It is shameful “
Obviously, the words of former Romanian international Danut Lupu, relayed by the sports daily AS before the meeting, only gave credence to this thesis of the arrangement: “ We will qualify with a draw against Slovakia, it’s arranged… It would be a shame if both countries didn’t go through, why take risks? »
Faced with the questions thus raised, the Romanian coach Edward Iordanescu became angry afterwards in front of the press: ” Some people should apologize. They should have waited to see us before judging us. It was shameful. […] It seems clear to me that both teams gave everything for 80 minutes. Everyone gave everything. Speaking before a match and throwing mud at teams and players, at our work and our dignity, is shameful. » Romania and Slovakia have not necessarily been spoiled for the rest of the tournament. The Romanians will face the Netherlands, surprising third in the group; the Slovaks will have to fight it out with the English for a place in the quarter-finals.
