Albanian club Skenderbeu 'baffled' over UEFA inquiry

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - The president of Albanian club Skenderbeu is 'baffled' by the news that UEFA may impose a further ban after already enduring a season-long exclusion from Europe.

Emilio Garcia, the head of UEFA's disciplinary and integrity unit, on Wednesday said at a panel session on match-fixing at the International Sports Convention that "the UEFA disciplinary bodies are considering real disciplinary measures" and that this season's exclusion was a "preliminary ban."

"We have not been notified at all. We believed our case was closed with the ban," Ardjan Takaj told The Associated Press.

UEFA's ban of Skenderbeu for this season was based on evidence of irregular betting patterns on fixing four games in the Champions League and Europa League in 2015. The club is suspected of fixing around 50 domestic matches since 2011.

"Of course we do not approve that decision that came without any evidence. But still we thought with that ban the case was over," said Takaj, adding that the club will ask UEFA for more information about the probe.

"It's their job to investigate but we should be told and that should come officially to us," he said.

Second in the Albanian league, Skenderbeu could qualify for next season's Champions League.