Smith supports Zenit claims

Rangers have no issue with Uefa Cup winners

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 3rd October 2008

zenit st petersburg rangers uefa cup final

Zenit: Success has been questioned

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Rangers boss Walter Smith believes Zenit St Petersburg were worthy winners of the 2008 Uefa Cup.

The Russian club have become embroiled in a match-fixing scandal involving their semi-final success over Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Spanish newspaper El Pais claimed a judge had forward information to German prosecutors which proved a gang with links to the Russian mafia had given money to Bayern before the match.

Zenit went on to claim a 4-0 win in the second leg of that particular European tie, before taking the title with a 2-0 victory over Rangers at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Russian club have strenuously denied the allegations and have threatened legal action in an effort to clear their name.

Bayern also claim to have no knowledge of suspicious dealings taking place before the game and Smith has now backed Zenit's fight by insisting the best side had emerged triumphant.

No complaints

"We don't have a take on it because we don't know enough about it," he said.

"The only thing for us is that we had a good campaign last year and there is no question the better team won the Uefa Cup final.

"I thought the referee was excellent, I thought Zenit were excellent throughout the match.

"As far as Rangers are concerned, that's it - we were beaten on the evening by the better team.

"I don't think there was any question of anything other than that, and if there was, in my mind it had no effect on the match.

"We have no complaints about the final and I think it's wrong that anyone who was at the final should question Zenit and the way they played.

"It makes a good headline but there were no other influences on the game other than the way Zenit played."