Austrian court confirms prison terms in match-fixing case

Former soccer player Sanel Kuljic arrives for the first round of a trial at the main court in Graz, Austria in 2014. (Hans Punz/AP)

GRAZ, Austria — A regional court has dismissed appeals by former Austria international Sanel Kuljic and seven others against their convictions in the country’s biggest match-fixing scandal.

The court decided Wednesday there were no extenuating causes for reducing prison terms.

In October 2014, Kuljic and former Kapfenberg teammate Dominique Taboga were sentenced to five and three years in prison, respectively, for leading the batting scam, which included manipulation of 18 domestic league games in Austria’s first and second divisions from 2004-13.

The players allegedly received 7,000 to 25,000 euros ($7,980-$28,500) per match to influence the outcome of the games, enabling their backers from Austria, Albania, Serbia and Chechnya to earn betting profits.

Kuljic played 20 times for Austria until 2007 and retired five years later.

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