Magpies in match-fixing scandal
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Newcastle United have found themselves in hot water this morning after the FA announced that they are looking into allegations of match-fixing. The Geordies overachieved last season, finishing fifth and qualifying for the Europa League, just two years after they were promoted from the Championship.
According to sources within the FA, players from other teams were allegedly paid large sums of money to perform poorly in games against Newcastle, while they themselves pocketed a big payoff in order to lose the penultimate game of the season to Manchester City ensuring that the Citizens only had to win their final game against Q.P.R to seal the Premier League title. The source also added that it was manager Alan Pardew was the suspect under the scanner rather than the club itself and that the fixing of games likely happened without the knowledge of higher-ups including owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias.
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Manager Pardew however, has hit out at these accusations. "I think it's ridiculous that they are actually starting an investigation. Just because we have finished 5th does not mean we have cheated. The players, the staff and I all have worked our socks off and with some luck, we've done well. These allegations of match-fixing are baseless and this is just a witch hunt by the FA."
Newcastle United F.C have not released an official statement regarding the situation.