UEFA bans Arsenal Tivat from European competitions for 10 YEARS

In an unprecedented case in European football, UEFA has banned Arsenal Tivat, who finished 8th in the Montenegrin league last season, from European competitions for the next 10 years.

Furthermore, a player and the sporting director have received lifetime bans following breaches of match-fixing regulations.

UEFA's decision found that eight players and officials violated Article 11 concerning general principles of conduct, as well as Article 12 related to the integrity of matches and competitions, specifically match-fixing.

The violations occurred in July 2023 during the two-legged Conference League qualifier against Armenian side Alashkert.

Arsenal Tivat player Nikola Celebic, 36, and sporting director Ranko Krgovic have received lifetime bans from "any football-related activity." Cetko Manojlovic, Radule Zivkovic, and Dusan Puletic have been suspended for 10 years.

Two years later, only Manojlovic still plays for the team, which avoided relegation last season through a playoff. The club has also been fined €500,000.

Arsenal Tivat was defeated by Alashkert 7-2 on aggregate in July 2023, losing the second leg at home 6-1. The heavy defeat came as a surprise, considering they drew 1-1 in the away leg in Armenia.

The Football Association of Montenegro has confirmed the ban, and Arsenal Tivat is barred from European competitions for the next 10 years. Tivat begins the new season on August 3rd, hosting Jedinstvo.