Latvia bans a top soccer club for rest of season; coach, GM cited for betting on team’s games

Latvia bans a top soccer club for gambling

RIGA, Latvia — One of Latvia’s top soccer teams has been banned for the rest of the season because of gambling.

Latvia soccer’s federation said Monday it received information that the general manager and coach of Dinaburg FC were betting on the team’s games.

Federation spokesman Martins Hartmanis said general manager Oleg Gavrilov and coach Tamaza Pertia are permanently barred from Latvian soccer. Dinaburg is fourth in the Latvian league and will forfeit its remaining six league games.

The federation said it ruled after European soccer’s governing body forwarded information about the club officials and players provided testimony.