Zenit Denies Any Link to Match-Fixing Probe

Zenit said its performance against Bayern and Rangers is the best proof the victories were achieved in an honest contest.

Zenit St Petersburg have distanced themselves from reports of an alleged attempt by Russian mafia figures to fix last season's UEFA Cup semi-final between the Russian club and Bayern Munich.

Judicial sources in Spain told Reuters on Wednesday that a Spanish investigating judge had sent recordings purporting to reveal a match-fixing plot to German authorities.

Russian champions Zenit crushed Bayern 4-0 at home in the second leg of their tie to win 5-1 on aggregate before going on to beat Glasgow Rangers in the final of the competition.

"There is nothing to comment on because, even if there is some investigation, Zenit has nothing to do with this," Alexei Petrov, a spokesman for the St Petersburg club, told Reuters.

"We have nothing to do with whoever it is that is alleged to be behind this, whether it is so-called Russian mafia or whoever," Petrov added.

In a statement issued on the club's website (www.fc-zenit.ru) on Wednesday, Zenit said its performance in the matches against Bayern and Rangers "is the best proof the victories were achieved in an honest, uncompromising contest".

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, said on Wednesday it was aware of the reports about a match-fixing investigation. Bayern said on Wednesday they had no information about the reports.