FIFA, world’s soccer body, has banned three Kenyan Premier League players for four years for match fixing.
They include Kakamega Homeboyz defenders Moses Chikati and Festus Okiring, along side midfielder Festo Omukoto, who recently joined Western Stima from Kakamega Homeboyz.
Meanwhile, Ugandan midfielder George Mandela, who played for Homeboyz last year before he was dismissed for match fixing allegations, was given a life ban by the Zurich-based body.
The cases involve 2019 KPL games.
In January 2019, after a run of poor results, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula stirred the KPL when he sacked Ugandan coach Paul Nkata, his Ugandan assistant Hamza Kalanzi and midfielder George Mandela, over match fixing claims and assured of enough proof for the same.
Nkata would then flee to his native country Uganda as Allan Wanga and goalkeeper David Juma took charge of the team. The release by FIFA confirms just what Shimanyula had alluded to.
“The formal disciplinary proceedings against the aforementioned individuals stemmed from an investigation into various matches from the Kenyan Premier League in 2019. This investigation was conducted by FIFA through its Integrity Department with the consent of and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities.
“The findings of the relevant decisions were notified to the concerned individuals today,” FIFA posted on Tuesday 4 January, 2020.
Mandela, who served under Paul Nkata at Nairobi City Stars, Muhoroni Youth and Tusker FC was handed the heaviest ban after being found to be a central player in the vice.
“In particular, given his central role in the conspiracy, the player George Mandela, Uganda, has been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for life,” the report notes.
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