Football Federation Cracks Down on Match-Fixing Syndicate with Fifa’s Help in Uganda
Uganda’s football federation (FUFA) has banned 13 individuals, including 10 referees, after uncovering a South African-based match fixing syndicate with the help of Fifa. The investigation found that seven games in the country’s second divisions were targeted by the fixing ring between October and December last year in Uganda.
“We received a lot of information from intelligence, collaborators and different platforms that there was a vice of match-fixing in Uganda,” said Charles Twine, a member of Fufa’s investigatory chamber.
Twine described the problem as “so damaging” and stated that Fufa has “incontrovertible” evidence against the individuals involved in the fixing ring. “I can comfortably call it a criminal syndicate because match-fixing is associated with so many crimes – crimes of corruption, money laundering and, sometimes, organised crime,” he added.
Fifteen people have already been handed provisional 90-day bans, including two administrators and one player. Investigations started in December and 80% of those involved have reportedly confessed to their involvement, exposing others who had denied any wrongdoing. Fufa Uganda match fixing
Read Also: Exclusive: Charting the Course – Exploring the Dynamics of the Tanzanian Gaming Industry
“We broke into the syndicate penetrating our game, and some of these guys were from South Africa,” Twine said. “We identified a guy called Mutyaba. He put a lot of money as bait and came here, penetrating a few Ugandans who he deliberately recruited as agents. These agents then went ahead and penetrated a section of stakeholders.”
Referees, club officials, and players have been compromised, and matches have been fixed, according to Twine. The banned individuals have 90 days to present their defence before Fufa’s ethics committee determines the length of their suspensions if found guilty. Fufa Uganda match fixing
“We call upon all Ugandans that match-fixing must be fought collectively, irrespective of your role – whether you’re in the media, a sports fan, a sports administrator and players,” said Twine. “We shall continue unwaveringly to ensure that this vice is completely eradicated.”
