Tivat opposition: European own goal by "liberators", mayor: Punish identified culprits

UEFA's decision to severely punish FK Arsenal from Tivat for match-fixing two years ago has stirred up the political scene in Tivat because FK Arsenal is a 100% owned club by the Municipality, and its progress and improvement of infrastructural conditions for work is one of the unofficial political priorities of the local authorities led by the citizens' group Narod Pobjeđuje.

The UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee fined Arsenal from Tivat 500.000 euros, banned the club from European competitions for 10 years, and severely punished both the players and club managers.

Player Nikola Čelebić and club representative Ranko Krgović were sentenced to a lifetime ban from football, while captain Ćetko Manojlović, Radule Živković and Dušan Puletić will each have to spend 10 years out of the sport.

All of this is the epilogue of the scandal in the Conference League qualifiers with Alaska two years ago.

That match was under the scrutiny of UEFA, and Polish media wrote that during the first half - even though the score was 35:0 until the 0th minute - bookmakers received more than 250.000 euros on the "2+ goals" game during the first 45 minutes.

The first goal at the "DG Arena" came in the 40th minute, and the second in stoppage time of the first half. Bookmakers tried to protect themselves from high payouts during the last 10 minutes of the first half, but some failed to do so in time. At that moment, the odds at some bookmakers for the live game "2+ goals" were as high as 30.

Everything continued in the second half when, as the Polish media described the actions, suspicious payments for 5+ and 7+ goals began, and the final result of the match was exactly that (1:6).

The Arsenal scandal, which tarnished the 110-year history of Tivat's oldest active sports club, was the reason for today's fierce attacks by the opposition on the local government, which since 2020 has been at the forefront of the project to improve Arsenal's work, popularize the club, and bring it to the First Montenegrin League and the European competition ranks.

Stressing that this is "the darkest and most shameful moment in a 111-year-long story," the opposition DPS assessed that "this punishment is a reflection of the Tivat authorities."

"The bottom line is that their incompetence is being paid for by the citizens of Tivat. But this time, in addition to the fans, players, and of course the city budget, the youngest members of the club will also pay for this disgrace, who will also be affected by this disgrace, as they may have to pursue their dreams in other clubs," the DPS announced, adding that the match-fixing scandal is "a European own goal by the 'liberators' to that football club."

The president of the OO URA in Tivat, Ljubimir Jovanović, requested "the immediate resignation of the current management of FK Arsenal Tivat and clear and responsible advertising by the local government."

"This is no longer a sports issue. This is a serious social problem that requires truth, responsibility and urgent action. The citizens of Tivat deserve answers to key questions - who in the club knew about these activities and why did they not react? How did the city administration allow an institution of public interest to function without any oversight? Will someone bear the consequences or will we, as so many times before, let time cover up responsibility?", stated Jovanović.

The European Alliance (SDP, SD, LP) asked Mayor Željko Komnenović (People Wins) and Deputy Mayor Jovan Brinić (Krtoljska Lista) "what will we do now", reminding that the city has invested over a million euros in the Arsenal FC project in the past two years.

"Do you feel responsible, will you demand the resignation of the entire club management?"

"Arsenal FC president Dejan Kandić says 'we have learned from our mistakes'. Do you know what a mistake is in football? When you make a mistake in your team formation, set up a bad training session or miss a penalty. And this is a crime. The biggest and most serious shame for Arsenal in its history, and this during your administration," the European Union said, calling on city leaders to "take responsibility in the way you would have asked if something like this had happened before 2020, under the administration of the then "criminal regime."

The President of the Municipality of Tivat, Željko Komnenović, announced today that he, "like all the people of Tivat who are fans of the local football club and its long and rich tradition, personally "regrets that everything that has been achieved and accomplished in the past period, and much has been achieved, has been overshadowed by the sanctions imposed on the club by UEFA."

"At the first mention of suspicions of illegal activities in connection with the match against Alaškert, together with the club president, I submitted an initiative to the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Kotor to form a case within which all insinuations would be examined. By doing this, I demonstrated my own, and the local administration's, willingness to confront individuals with the consequences of possible illegal actions. At that time, I publicly stated that I would not and could not stand behind corruption and any other illegal activities - I still hold that position today," Komnenović said, adding that according to the information he has, the ODT in Kotor formed a case on this occasion in the fall of 2023.

"I am not aware of the current status of the case. The final position of the local government will be based on the outcome of this case and the results of the second-instance proceedings with FIFA," said Komnenović.

He pointed out that the local government he heads has invested significant funds in the club's recovery over the past five years, "especially in the infrastructure, which is now at an enviable level."

"The Football Association of Montenegro also made a great contribution. Arsenal FC has the largest youth team in Montenegro. There are around 400 children on the fields every day. I therefore consider the investments justified. The local administration, in accordance with its capabilities and competencies, supported the club's work in order to achieve exceptional results. The act of individuals, as is already clear, caused great reputational damage to Arsenal and all those involved will bear responsibility," said the mayor.

He added that, as far as the club's financing is concerned, which receives almost half a million euros annually from the city budget, "he is obliged to say that the co-financing agreement signed for the current year has been largely implemented," and that the local government, regardless of all circumstances, will not abandon Arsenal FC.

"The circumstances envisaged by the contract that would lead to its unilateral termination have not occurred. The interest of the local community in this matter remains undisputed, especially considering the young generation that is growing up and playing defending the colors of the city. We owe them a chance," concluded Komnenović.