Estonian football match halted amid betting fraud suspicions
An Esiliiga match between FC Tallinn and Maardu Linnameeskond was stopped in the 78th minute over suspected betting fraud, with the Estonian Football Association banning three people linked to Maardu pending an investigation.
A second-tier Estonian football match between FC Tallinn and Maardu Linnameeskond was abandoned on Thursday in the 78th minute due to suspicions of betting fraud.
The same day, the Estonian Football Association (EJL) announced it had barred three individuals connected to Maardu Linnameeskond from football-related activities while a disciplinary investigation proceeds.
Maardu is suspected of breaching disciplinary rules, including violations of integrity principles, direct or indirect involvement in betting, prearranging a match's course or outcome, and failing to meet reporting obligations.
What happened on the pitch
Maardu Linnameeskond took a 2-1 lead early in the second half of Thursday's game against FC Tallinn, but then conceded three goals within seven minutes and gave away a penalty. Referee Jagnar Jakobson subsequently decided to call off the match.
Precedent cases
This marks the third time an Estonian league match has been abandoned over betting fraud suspicions — previous cases occurred in the top division in 2013 and in the Esiliiga in 2016, both of which were later replayed, according to the EJL.
Halting or abandoning a match over suspected betting fraud is an exceptional step the EJL takes to fight fraud when it holds relevant information. The Esiliiga ranks as the second tier of Estonian football, below the Meistriliiga.
