Uganda football body bans referee, player for match manipulation

KAMPALA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) --

The Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) has banned a referee and a player for match manipulation.

On Friday the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee announced that referee George Nkurunziza and Yaya Mahad Kakooza, a player with Uganda Premier League side Gaddafi FC were involved in manipulating matches.

The committee chaired by Dr. Azaah Taibu said they analysed and evaluated the evidence on file and the defense put forward by Nkurunziza, and found that he was involved in influencing the results of matches for betting purposes in violation of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code.

"Nkurunziza is hereby banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at the national level (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of ten years, as of notification of this decision," said the committee on Friday.

The player Kakooza who was also found guilty of violating the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary code while manipulating results for betting purposes has been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at the national level (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of five years, as of notification of this decision.

However, the federation has made it clear that the two can only appeal on the grounds of the decision.

Moses Hassim Magogo, the FUFA President, has made it clear that they will continue to fight the vice of match manipulation that some people in football are using to make money through betting.