UEFA to report Bak on Polish bribery claim

UEFA is set to launch an investigation into claims by Poland defender Jacek Bak that he was offered a bribe before the Euro 2008 qualifier against Belgium on Wednesday.

The Belgian Football Association (KBVB) have demanded that Europe’s governing body investigate Bak’s allegations which followed Poland’s 1-0 win in Group A.

Radoslaw Matusiak capitalised on a mistake by Bayern Munich’s Daniel Van Buyten to score the solitary goal in the 19th minute.

A KBVB statement said: “We ask UEFA to investigate this case thoroughly. UEFA can do this, so we will send them the media prints and we trust that UEFA will bring clarity.”

According to Dziennik newspaper, Bak said he was offered €10,000 to concede a penalty during the match.

“Something strange happened before the start of the match. A person came to me and asked me to throw the match,” said Bak.

The 33-year-old, who plays for Al-Rayyan Doha, refused to give details of the proposal, but Poland captain Maciej Zurawski said: “Jacek told me about what had happened, but we couldn’t talk too much.”

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said: “We wait for proof by Bak or other witnesses.”

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker, whose side moved to third in Group A following the win at the Roi Baudouin stadium, revealed he was aware of the allegations.

Former Poland international goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski believes that if the corruption attempt is proven, it could amount to “the biggest scandal in European football in recent years.”