Spotlight on Red Star Belgrade after claims of fixing PSG Champions League clash

Red Star won the 1991 European Cup, but their return to the tournament is already under a cloud. (AFP)

PARIS: French authorities are investigating claims of match-fixing surrounding the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade after UEFA warned them of a possible manipulation of the result.
L’Equipe newspaper reported that a Red Star official is suspected of betting €5 million ($5.8 million) on Red Star losing by five goals. PSG won the game 6-1.
France’s financial prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press on Friday an investigation has been opened, but declined to comment on the report.
Red Star released a statement vehemently denying the match-fixing allegation, saying no club official was involved in the alleged “shameful acts.”
According to L’Equipe, the prosecutor’s office was alerted by UEFA days before the Oct. 3 game at the Parc des Princes.
ARJEL, the body in charge of regulating online gambling in France, told the newspaper it did not notice any suspicious bets on the game.