Athlone Town players secure injunction over FAI's plan to introduce new evidence in match fixing appeal

Two professional footballers suspended for twelve months following a match-fixing investigation have secured temporary High Court injunctions preventing the Football Association of Ireland from introducing new evidence during their appeal hearing. Igor Labuts, a goalkeeper, and midfielder Dragos Sfrijan, both formerly of Athlone Town AFC in the League of Ireland First Division, were found guilty in September of deliberate actions to manipulate match results arising from a game against Longford Town in April. The players deny wrongdoing and claim the new evidence is prejudicial, was not disclosed at the original disciplinary hearing, and breaches natural justice principles. The FAI maintains it is entitled under its own rules to introduce the material at the appeal, scheduled for December twenty-first. Justice Caroline Costello granted interim injunctions on Wednesday at the High Court. The case has been adjourned to the following week.