A FOOTBALL club has been deducted 27 points – after its star player was charged with attempted murder and drug trafficking.
German side SpVgg Haidhausen had topped their regional league, thanks in part to nine goals from winger Mateo Vidmar.
The 34-year-old was a well-known name in Bavarian football, playing for a string of local sides since 2014.
But armed police arrested a man last December after he drove his BMW at officers in Munich’s Obersendling suburb.
Five kilos of crystal meth and heroin were reportedly found at his home, together with guns, false passports and 50,000 euros in cash (£43,000).
Investigators found the man had used the fake Mateo Vidmar identity for his career as a footballer.
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He is currently in custody and facing charges of attempted murder, gun possession and drug trafficking.
The Bavarian FA, BFV, has now stripped Haidhausen of 27 points for fielding a player with a false name – wrecking their promotion prospects.
However the club has launched an appeal, insisting they knew nothing of Vidmar’s double life.
Chairman Giuseppe Scialdone said: “This is madness. He was completely anonymous, and didn’t throw his money around.
“He claimed he ran a fitness studio. He filled out his registration form, and how could we check it wasn’t genuine?
“We even paid a transfer fee for him. We are not guilty, in fact we are the victims here.
“All of us have fallen victim to a con man. I hope the BFV’s verdict will bring justice for us.”