Two officials "have been given life bans" by UEFA for an attempt to fix the result of a Europa League match last month. Armenian referee Andranik Arsenyan and assistant Hovhannes Avagyan, who officiated in the match between FC Inter Turku and Vikingur, "were suspended for life" by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body (REUTERS, 8/23). ... Two African Champions League matches "will go ahead in Egypt at the weekend despite the civil unrest that has claimed more than 1,000 lives since last month’s military overthrow of the civilian government." Holders Al Ahli will play AC Leopards of the Congo on Saturday at El Gouna, a Red Sea resort some 350km from "strife-torn" Cairo, followed the next day by Zamalek hosting South Africa’s Orlando Pirates. Both games "will be played behind closed doors" at the insistence of Egyptian authorities, scared unruly crowds "could lead to more unrest" (REUTERS, 8/25). ... The Iranian Football Federation announced that "the training camp which was supposed to be held in Portugal has been cancelled due to lack of funds." Iran "was scheduled to face Gabon in its training camp" in Lisbon on Sept. 12 as well as a friendly against Sporting Lisbon (TEHRAN TIMES, 8/25).
