FIFA to investigate Baltic match fixing allegations

TALLINN - Estonia and Latvia have requested that FIFA launch an investigation into possible match-fixing by referees in two bizarre international friendlies that took place in the Turkish resort town of Antalya.

Latvia beat Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia drew 2-2 with Bulgaria in friendlies held on Feb. 9. All seven goals in the two matches were scored on penalties.

The probe is expected to focus on an agency which arranged the back-to-back games, the Thai-based organization "Footy Sport International."

Estonia FA spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht told journalists that he had been aware of "possible manipulation" ahead of the match with Bulgaria.

"Everything so far, both our analysis and on the international level, indicates there was manipulation by the referee," Uiboleht said on TV3.

The two games reportedly saw an unusually large amount of betting.