FIFA Ethics and Regulations Watch (FERW) strongly supports FIFA’s decision to ban eight players/former players and one players’ agent for match manipulation.
After investigating various international matches, FIFA has found the following nine individuals guilty of having been involved in match manipulation:
- Mr Karlon Murray, Trinidad and Tobago
- Mr Keyeno Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago
- Mr Hellings Mwakasungula, Malawi
- Mr Ibrahim Kargbo, Sierra Leone
- Mr Kudzanai Shaba, Zimbabwe
- Mr Séïdath Tchomogo, Benin
- Mr Leonel Duarte, Cuba
- Mr Mohammad Salim Israfeel Kohistani, Afghanistan
- Mr George Owino Audi, Kenya
According to FIFA’s rules, match manipulation is not allowed (art. 69 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code: Unlawfully influencing match results), and anyone who violates this rule will be severely sanctioned.
As a result, the first eight aforementioned individuals have been banned for life from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for life.
Meanwhile, Mr George Owino Audi, Kenya has been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of ten (10) years and fined 15,000 Swiss Francs.
In light of this news, FERW calls on FIFA to investigate similar cases worldwide.
Furthermore, FERW also calls on all players, football clubs, and associations officials to abide by FIFA regulations and act in accordance with the FIFA Code of Ethics to ensure fair game and healthy competition.
