Club releases player over match-fixing allegations

Austrian club Groedig have released defender Dominique Taboga amid claims he tried to persuade four team mates to take part in match-manipulation, the club has confirmed.

“On the basis of the events of the previous days, sporting director Christian Hass has announced cancellation of Dominique Taboga’s contract by mutual consent,” said the Bundesliga club in a statement on its website.

The Austrian football federation (OeFB) said it had been told that Taboga had tried to persuade team mates to take part in match-fixing.

“This morning, the OeFB was informed in writing by SV Groedig that Dominque Taboga tried to incite four players to take part in match-manipulation, which they rejected,” said the OeFB in a statement issued jointly with the Bundesliga.

“Based on this information, the appropriate legal steps have been taken.”

Prosecutors’ spokesman Marcus Neher said former Austrian international striker Sanel Kuljic, is being investigated after Taboga filed charges, claiming he has been threatened by Kuljic after refusing to get involved in match-fixing.

According to Neher, Taboga said he was forced to pay Kuljic nearly 30,000 euros after refusing to prevent his club from winning matches.

”By his own account, (Taboga) has not been involved in any match manipulation,” Neher said. ”However, he claims to be blackmailed over a long period of time, including the threat of violence against him and his family.”