Sheriff Tiraspol’s Champions League fairytale haunted by accusations of “sportswashing”, lack of democracy and unresolved governance issues

Sheriff Tiraspol pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the UEFA Champions League when they sensationally won 2-1 away against Real Madrid to maintain a perfect record in the competition.

The team are owned by the influential and powerful Sheriff conglomerate which controls 100 per cent of the economy in the region.

The club was founded by two former KGB agents and is based in an unrecognised breakaway state located in the narrow strip of land between the river Dniester and the Moldovan-Ukrainian border.

Given the lawless conditions in the region, unresolved governance issues, lack of financial transparency, no governmental or police control and links to the Russian secret service, Sheriff is suspected of “sportswashing”.

Expert says they use their new image as cover-up for organised crime and money-laundering.