In May 2017, the message came that the Swedish game between IFK Gothenburg and AIK was postponed. The reason was that AIK's goalkeeper, Kenny Stamatopolous, had been subjected to bribery. A former AIK player was suspected in connection with the set match and the case went up in district court. Following testimony from Stamatopolous and AIK's coach Rikard Norling, the suspected player was eventually released from all suspicions but the prosecutor appealed.
Today came the verdict in the High Court. The former AIK player and a further man are now sentenced to conditional judgment and day fines for bribery and the High Court writes:
“The High Court has today given judgment in a case for bribery. The High Court modifies the district court's free judgment and convicts two men for giving bribes to conditional judgment and daily fines.
The prosecutor prosecuted the men for grossly giving bribes by offering an undue benefit amounting to a substantial amount to a player in the AIK football club with the aim of persuading the player to underperform his athletic performance, thereby affecting the outcome of a football match between AIK and IFK football match between IFIK May 2017. The district court acquitted the men because it was not considered clear that the conversation between them and the player had such concrete content that what was presented included a criminal offer of bribery.
The High Court changes the district court's judgment and convicts both men for giving bribes. The High Court concludes that it is the duties of the football player to use as the basis for the assessment of what was said between the men and him. The High Court further concludes that the content of what the men conveyed to the player has been so clear and clear that it should be regarded as a criminal offering of bribery. The High Court considers that it is undisputed that the bribe amounted to a significant amount.
According to the court of law, the crime must be classified as a crime of the normal degree. The High Court decides the penalty for both men on conditional sentence and daily fines. "