European Final Probed After Match-Fixing Claims

The final's two German referees have already been suspended in their country after a report that authorities had found money in their bags.

The 2006 men's Cup Winners' Cup final is to be investigated by the European Handball Federation (EHF) after allegations of match-fixing, the governing body said on Friday.

Russia's Chehovski Medvedi beat BM Valladolid of Spain over a two-leg final to win the title.

The final's two German referees have already been suspended in their country after a report that Russian authorities had found money in their bags following the Cup final leg staged in Moscow.

The pair have said the media report was true and money was indeed found in their bags at the time of their departure a day after the final, but had no idea how it ended up there.

They have denied any wrongdoing, saying they were set up. The German Handall Federation suspended the referees last week pending the investigation.

"As it has been confirmed by the EHF, accusations have been made about the 2006 men's Cup winners' Cup final game. A technical analysis of the game has been requested from two independent rule and refereeing experts," the EHF said in a statement.

"The EHF is eager to look into these matters once again and to evaluate the handling of the matters at the time when they happened, considering the amount of information available in that moment," it said.

The EHF said it would also look at several other matches where allegations of foul play have been made, including a World Championship qualifier in Europe and a women's champions league match.

German handball has also been recently damaged by allegations against top clubs for match-fixing. A prosecutor in the northern town of Kiel has already launched an investigation.