Swit solution to bribery scandal

Bribery claims
The move follows a month-loan inquiry by the Polish Football Federation (PZPN) into bribery claims surrounding the second leg match on 23 June, which Garbarnia won 3-0 in Jaworzno to claim a 3-1 aggregate triumph and maintain their élite status.

Players accused
Swit president Wojciech Szymanski had reacted to that defeat by accusing his team of throwing the game. And the PZPN has now confirmed that six Swit players accepted a €50,000 payment for losing the match. Adam Tomczynski of the federation's disciplinary committee said: "We have six pieces of evidence. I cannot reveal my sources but we have solid grounds for this decision."

Compelling evidence
The PZPN is believed to have a tape of a conversation between Swit players after the game as well as a witness statement from a Swit player not involved in the match-fixing scam.

Life bans
The PZPN has overturned the second-leg scoreline and handed Swit a 3-0 victory, and 4-0 aggregate success. As a result, the second division team are promoted provided they can obtain their top-flight licence. However, six Swit players have received lifetime bans. Grzegorz Milkowski, Maciej Lewna, Marek Zawada, Maciej Krzetowski, Adam Warszawski and Rafal Ruta will not play professional football again, while goalkeeper Boris Peskovic has been suspended for a year.

Points penalty
Garbarnia, meanwhile, will start the new season with a ten-point deduction following their relegation to the second division. It is the first case of its kind in Polish football and both clubs will have 14 days to appeal.