EHF Suspends Romanian Coach, Handball Federation Ex-VP Over Match Fixing Attempts

The Romanian Handball Federation was also fined EUR27,500 over the scandal regarding attempts to bribe referees for Romania’s match against Montenegro, in the 2009 Men’s World Championship qualification play-off, which took place on June 14, 2008, in Oradea, western Romania.

“The EHF Arbitration Tribunal has found that Mr. Palau Petre and Mr. Aihan Omer attempted to manipulate the nominated EHF referees by offering them money before the game," the EHF said on its official website Thursday.

Omer and Paleu have been excluded from taking part in any international handball competition and from carrying out any EHF function or activity for a period of five years.

The EHF Arbitration Tribunal also decided to sanction the Romanian Handball Federation EUR27,500, with the threat of a two-year exclusion of Romania’s men’s national team. The exclusion is suspended for a period of four years.

The Romanian Federation, Paleu and Omer may appeal these sanctions within 21 days.

Danish paper Jyllands-Posten worte on March 17 that Omer and Paleu allegedly offered EUR30,000 to the two Danish referees appointed for the game against Montenegro in 2008. The head of Denmark’s Handball Federation, Per Rasmussen, told the paper the two referees refused an offer of EUR30,000 each and the services of two prostitutes to favor Romania in the game with Montenegro.

Paleu and Omer denied any wrongdoing.