It's an earthquake in Angolan soccer. The emblematic club Petro de Luanda has been suspended for two years by the Angolan Football Federation for match-fixing.
Petro de Luanda suspended by the Angolan Football Federation for match-fixing
The Angolan Football Federation has suspended Petro de Luanda, despite their qualification for the Champions League. The sentence was very harsh indeed for Petro de Lunada, who have been banned from all sporting activities for two years. The Federation is blaming the club for its alleged involvement in corruption schemes.
Suspicions of match-fixing and corruption, raised in the audio leaked on social networks on June 9, led to the suspension of Petro de Luanda. In the audio, Petro player Márcio Luvambo confirms that the two-time champions paid Académica do Lobito three million kwanzas (3,300 euros) during a match in last season's Angolan Cup. Enough for the Disciplinary Council of the Angolan Football Federation to slam down its fist: "Suspension with immediate effect of Club Atlético Petro de Luanda from all soccer activities, for a period of two years, and consequently prevented from taking part in any sporting competition during this period, for failure to comply with the duty of collaboration to which it is subject. linked to the FAF", announced a press release.
Petro de Luanda strikes back. Petro Luanda has rejected the FAF's decision and announced that it does not intend to freeze its activities, and will even hold a press conference to "provide clarification and evidence of the validity of its position and the invalidity of the decision taken by the Angolan Football Federation.
Petro Atletico is one of eight clubs chosen to take part in the new African Super League competition. The legendary Angolan outfit has also qualified for the African Champions League.
