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UEFA U21 EURO

Slovakia launch appeal against "fixed" Germany-Italy game

The game, played on Saturday ended with a 1-0 win for the Italian side which ensured that both they and the Germans progressed.

Slovakia launch appeal against "fixed" Germany-Italy game
Stephen PondGetty Images

Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico has penned an open letter denouncing events in last Saturday's U21 game in Krakow claiming that his nation were victims of "unjust match fixing"in the current Under 21 European championship being staged in Poland. He claims that Italy and Germany agreed on a 1-0 win for the Italians that ensured both teams progressed to the semi-final stage of the tournament at the expense of Slovakia.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico leaves the European Council, in Brussels, following the European Union leaders summit on June 23, 2017
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Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico leaves the European Council, in Brussels, following the European Union leaders summit on June 23, 2017THIERRY CHARLIERAFP

Letter to Ceferin

"I am confident that this incident will be fully investigated by UEFA and that rules will be set in place in future tournaments that reward sporting effort and prohibit convenient results of this nature". His open letter was addressed to UEFA General Secretary Aleksander Ceferin.

With the 1-0 final scoreline, Germany came second in Group C but the result permitted both Italy as group winners and Germany as best runners up edging out Slovakia in the process by one goal to progress into the semi final of the competition. 

Slovakia's players celebrate scoring during the UEFA U-21 European Championship roup A football match Slovakia v Sweden in Lublin, Poland on June 22, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI
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Slovakia's players celebrate scoring during the UEFA U-21 European Championship roup A football match Slovakia v Sweden in Lublin, Poland on June 22, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKIJANEK SKARZYNSKIAFP

"Footballing farce"

The Slovakian team were one of the surprise packages of the competition beating host nation Poland and current U21 holders Sweden. "This was an orchestrated farce between two experienced footballing nations", lamented the Slovakian politician.