15 footballers and coaches banned in Kenya over match-fixing
Kenyan football authorities have banned two coaches and 13 active and inactive players for alleged match-fixing.
The Kenyan Football Federation (FKF) has released a statement confirming to have meted out the punishment.
FKK says it has taken the action on the individuals after receiving “confidential reports alleging the involvement of various players and officials in match-fixing activities.”
WHAT KENYA FOOTBALL FEDERATION STATEMENT SAYS
“In an effort to protect the integrity of the league, in line with the Federation’s zero-tolerance policy on match-fixing,” the statement adds.
“…the Federation has with immediate effect provisionally suspended the following individuals pending the investigations of the matter by the FIFA & FKF’s integrity department.”
The statement has since advised all FKF members “to avoid any form of sporting contact with the aforementioned individuals during their suspension period.”
KFK did not provide further details as to when the individuals are suspected to have committed the offences and where.
There is also no indication as to how the influenced matches and which games in particular.
However, it is on record that in 2021 FIFA Integrity Unit expelled Zoo FC from the top-flight league over match-fixing.
FIFA also banned four players in the year 2020 over an international conspiracy to fix matches.
THE LIST OF BANNED INDIVIDUALS RELEASED
The banned individuals include Zetech University coach Willis Ochieng Oganyo and his Kericho FC counterpart Du Monde Selenga Mangili.
The sanctions extend to former Zoo FC players Hamidu Kwizera Lucas, Daniel Kiptoo, Brian Lumumba, Geoffrey Gichana, Johnstone Ligare and Vincent Misikhu.
Other former players named on the list are Michael Idovolo Madoya (ex-Nairobi City Stars FC) and former Vihiga United’s Dennis Monda have also been suspended.
The list includes active players—Sammy Sindani Sabiri (Silibwet Leons FC), Dominic Ouma Okoth (Kericho Rovers FC), Isaac Kipyegon (Tusker FC), Stanslaus Akiya Munyasa (Silibwet Leons FC) and William Odunga (Silibwet Leons FC).
The ban of the coaches and players come two months after FKF was admitted back into international football after a ban over alleged government interference in the running of the FA’s affairs.
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