Vllaznia face match-fixing inquiry

DUNDEE’S UEFA Cup opponents, Vllaznia, are under investigation for match-fixing, the Albanian Football Federation confirmed yesterday.

Vllaznia, who the Dens Park side defeated 6-0 on aggregate in the qualifying round, have been accused of "throwing" the first-leg tie which took place in the Albanian town of Shkoder on 14 August. Dundee won the match 2-0.

Another Albanian side, Dinamo Tirana, have been accused of fixing the first leg of their UEFA Cup’s qualifying round, which they lost 4-0 to Lokeren of Belgium on the same night. Both clubs are now under investigation from the country’s Prosecutor General Office.

The Albanian Football Federation claims club owners "sold" the match results in order to win large amounts of money in European sports lottos.

"The Prosecutor Office is verifying if the charges make up a criminal act according to the Albanian Penal Code," said spokeswoman Eva Londo.

Independent lawyers said corruption charges could be used in the case.

Mihal Delijorgji, president of Dinamo Tirana and owner of a sport lotto company in Albania, denied the charges and accused the federation of fixing Euro 2004 qualifying matches involving the national team.

UEFA said it was opening a disciplinary investigation and has asked the Albanian Federation to send it a statement.

There is no suggestion Dundee or Lokeren were involved in match-fixing.

The Scots learned yesterday that they will be supported by over 2,000 travelling fans when they play the second leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie against Perugia in Italy next week. Manager Jim Duffy described the level of support as "phenomenal."

Despite Dundee losing the home leg 2-1, over 2,000 tickets have now been snapped for the return and Duffy has vowed to do all he can to ensure the journey will not be made in vain.

He said: "The response has been phenomenal and I promise the fans that we will do everything in our power to get the right result for them.

"It would be wonderful if we could justify the faith the supporters clearly have in us, and although I know they will go out there and enjoy themselves no matter what, I realise that they will enjoy the trip even more if we manage to do what’s required."

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Ravanelli has had his hopes of making his debut for the club a week on Saturday threatened by illness. The former Italy international appeared to be on course to prove his fitness for the Premierleague game against Partick Thistle on 18 October.

However, the player, who signed a two-year deal with Dundee last month, is still short of match fitness.

But Ravanelli has now been laid low with a virus, which has also struck Dave Mackay and Beto Carranza, and his training schedule has been curtailed while he makes his recovery.

Duffy said: "It’s not the best news for guys like Fabrizio and Beto, who are trying to get themselves match fit."