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Danish Side Under Investigation For Allegedly Coneding On Purpose

Danish Side Under Investigation For Allegedly Coneding On Purpose

The Danish league's relegation model has potentially opened itself up to cheating. Is that what Sønderjyske did against FC Midtjylland.

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Denmark operates their football a little different to most other countries. But now their unorthodoxy has started to cause problems, with Danish side Sønderjyske being investigated for match-fixing after their 2-1 defeat to title-contenders FC Midtjylland.

Instead of the traditional league system of having the bottom two or three teams relegated, the Danish Superliga imposes a method of having the final bottom eight sides split into two mini-leagues before they have to fight tooth and claw to avoid the devastating drop.

These mini-leagues vary in difficulty, and so teams that end up with lesser points could well end up in an easier pool than a team that finishes higher.

Doesn't matter the system, West Brom would still get relegated. Image: PA Images
Doesn't matter the system, West Brom would still get relegated. Image: PA Images

And it's the beginning of this rule that has landed Sønderjyske in a spot of trouble.

Level-pegging in their game against FC Midtjylland at 1-1 and looking destined for a place in the perceived 'harder league', on 89 minutes it seemed as though the team quite deliberately drowned their tools to let Midtjylland get a late goal and seal a victory - at least that's what the side are now accused of by the Danish FA.

"We have obviously looked at the outcome of the match - especially the end of the show," chairman of the Football Disciplinary Body, Jens Hjortskov has said.

"We have of course also noted what statements have come from Sønderjyskes side and on this basis, we have decided to open a lawsuit against Sønderjyske this evening," he added.

You can see the goal at the end of this video:

The club's official account Tweeting, "It's the least annoying goal in 89 minutes ever. We are back in the good relegation group," after the team conceded their late goal probably didn't help their cause.

The tweet has caused some controversy. Image: Twitter
The tweet has caused some controversy. Image: Twitter

The Tweet has since been deleted, but can anyone truly blame the struggling side to take advantage of these convoluted rules? Surely if the Danish FA want to crack down on cheating in the league while keeping the game competitive, they should create an environment where losing isn't beneficial for sides.

Perhaps revamping their league to a simpler formula wouldn't go amiss?

Words by Jacque Talbot.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football, Denmark