Arsenal could be in the group stages of the Champions League, even if they lose to Udinese on aggregate tonight.
With kick off just minutes away in what should be a defining game for the Gunners, news has broken that they may be handed a lifeline if they were to lose, due to an ongoing match fixing scandal in Turkey.
2010/11 Champions Fenerbache have been expelled from Champions League football this season after being caught up in a match fixing investigation. This leaves a place up for grabs and it is yet to be decided who will be the ‘lucky loser’.
Usually, the runners up in the domestic league would get the place, however this may not be possible as both the 2nd and 3rd placed teams (Trabzonspor and Besiktas) are both also being investigated due to match fixing claims. Trabzonspor have also already been knocked out of the Champions League in an earlier round. So it would be difficult for UEFA to allow either side in the competition.
The alternative would be to give Fenerbaches place to the highest ranked team based on UEFA’s coefficient, who are knocked out in the play-off rounds. Should Arsenal lose on aggregate this evening, they would be the side to benefit as they would be the team with the highest coefficient rating. UEFA are due to make a decision on this issue tonight.
Here is a link to the Telegraph covering this story
***UEFA have decided Trabzonspor will replace Fenerbache in the Champions League next season, despite being under investigation for match fixing. ***
