Estonian Premier League Match Abandoned in the Second Half Over Betting Fraud Suspicions

It’s been one of the most dramatic weeks in Estonian football, with a league game stopped before the final whistle because of suspected betting fraud.

Read more Los Angeles Rams

The Esiliiga clash between Maardu Linnameeskond and FC Tallinn was abandoned in the 78th minute when referee Jagnar Jakobson halted play. At that point, Tallinn were leading 4–2 after an intense 7-minute spell in which they overturned a 2–1 deficit with three quick goals and a penalty.

The stadium announcer told fans the suspension was due to suspected betting fraud. Match inspector Margus Kröönström later confirmed he had received a call from the association and declared: “It is a betting fraud with 200% certainty.”

The Estonian Football Association (EJL) released a statement yesterday, also confirming that the suspension was linked to betting concerns, describing the move as an extraordinary step taken only when strong integrity alerts are available. 

The decision came just hours after reports that Maardu’s head coach and two players were under investigation for betting fraud, turning the fixture itself into part of the scandal. The EJL has not yet decided what will happen to the unfinished match but has already postponed the Maardu Linnameeskond and JK Tallinna Kalev game set for Sunday.

EJL already filed criminal complaint

Two days before the abandoned match, the Estonian Football Association (EJL) had already opened a disciplinary investigation into Maardu City Team. 

Read more ABRAJOGO and Conar Strengthen Cooperation on Betting Advertising Rules in Brazil

The inquiry focused on possible breaches of the association’s rules, including honesty violations, direct or indirect involvement in betting, recording match outcomes in advance, and failing to report suspicious activity 

After reviewing the material, the EJL submitted a criminal complaint to the prosecutor’s office. The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee will decide on sanctions once more evidence and the investigation’s findings are available. 

Maardu City Team announced it would fully cooperate with the proceedings, promising to provide all necessary information and assistance. The club said it would not comment further until the investigation is complete.

The EJL followed with temporary bans on head coach Deniss Kovtun and players Artjom Volkov and Vladislav Churilkin, preventing them from taking part in football activities while the case is ongoing. 

This is not the first time Estonian football has experienced such a scandal. In 2013, a first division match was rescheduled, and it happened again in 2016, this time in the second division, Esiliiga.

Read more Markets Are Defying a Darkening Economy. Europe’s Regulator Sees Trouble Ahead