The FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday imposed strict sanctions on 12 individuals following investigations into a match-fixing scheme linked to a foreign betting syndicate.
These individuals have been banned from all football-related activities for varying durations, with one referee receiving a lifetime ban.
The investigation, led by Kabega Musa, chairman of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee’s Investigatory Chamber, uncovered a breach of Article 43 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code and later the findings were forwarded to the Adjudicatory Chamber, chaired by Darius Ruta, for further hearings.
This committee investigated several football stakeholders, including nine referees, two administrators, and one player, assessing their level of involvement in the manipulation of matches during the 2023/2024 season.
Based on the findings and individual circumstances, sanctions were issued and Referee Kaddu Ali was slapped with a Lifetime ban, referee Sajjabi Geoffrey a10-year ban Administrators Kongola Ahmed and Epieru Richard slapped by a 5-year and 3-year ban respectively.
Additionally, referees Atuheirwe Joyce, Nabisere Tausi, Okello Simon Peter, and Nantatya Godwin were slapped a 3-year ban each and Muyaga Khalid a 2 year ban.
Also referees Noor Hassan and Atuhaire Docus, and player Kiyemba Latif: 1-year bans each.
The committee emphasized that these penalties were determined based on the degree of each individual’s involvement and their cooperation during the investigation.
“All concerned parties have been notified of the decisions,” they noted.
FIFA defines match manipulation as the unlawful influencing of the outcome, course, or any aspect of a football match or competition. This manipulation often aims to gain financial benefits, typically through betting fraud. It can occur through agreements between match-fixers and participants, deliberate poor performance, or misconduct by referees, such as wrongful awarding of penalties or cards.
Additionally, match manipulation may involve interference with match logistics, such as tampering with equipment or failing to enforce the Laws of the Game.
The Ethics Committee underscored the importance of maintaining integrity in football and warned against any attempts to undermine the sport’s credibility.
