FKF Chairman Nick Mwendwa speaks out on match fixing allegations by Harambee Stars players

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) national chairman, Nick Mwendwa has spoken out on the latest report by FIFA that some players from Harambee Stars were involved in match fixing.

In a phone interview with a local radio station, Mr. Mwendwa claimed that he has heard about the report but his federation is yet to receive official report and communication from FIFA on the same. He said that once the report is officially made available, the national football governing body will commence investigations immediately and action will be taken per se.

Mwendwa, who is currently in France to survey suitable camps for Harambee Stars as they train and prepare for the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals to be held in Cairo, Egypt explained that the allegations were very serious and required legal procedures.

“We assure you that all legal procedures will be adhered to accordingly to ensure that the truth is found and the culprits are brought to book” he told the radio host.

However, Mr. Mwendwa alleged that Kenyans had to wait a little longer for the truth of the matter to be revealed as this matter required a lengthy procedure.

“We need to understand that match fixing is a complex procedure and the fact that emails were exchanged or money exchanged may not tell it all. Instead, we will have to follow through on the outcome of the actual match, the role of the said player and his actions on the field” clarified Mr. Mwendwa.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Mr. Mwendwa however, affirmed that stern action will be taken against those found culpable.

“I am sure even FIFA will take action against the players. What I know is that anybody found in such malpractice will be banned from participating in football for ten years to life imprisonment” he said.

The federation boss also revealed that once these investigations are over, all matches involving Harambee Starts since 2009 will be reviewed accordingly. The federation will then write to the world football body to determine the fate of those games where match fixing played out.

“I think it would be relevant if these matches are reviewed and with the help of FIFA, a determination will be made on whether such matches should be canceled,” he told the radio hosts.

According to the FIFA match fixing report, George Owino Audi, Harambee Stars defender was receiving around 3 to 6 million per month between June 2009 and 2011 to ensure that the team lost its matches.

The report alleges that in collaboration with the international match-fixer identified by the name Wilson Raj Perumal, Owino also in conjunction with some players in the team worked to influence and manipulate matches with other international teams.

The 10-page preliminary investigation report by the Fifa Integrity Department (FID) further reveals that Owino and other players whom he had collaborated with played a key role in fixing about 14 matches.

The scandal was unearthed after about 177 email exchanges between Owino and Perumal were discovered by investigators.

One of the emails sent from Perumal to Owino before read as follows

“The purpose I’m going to bring you there is for business, but you have to remain loyal to me only. Remain free. Salary each month is Ksh3 million. If I say lose, you do as I say, or else you won’t see your salary,”

In response, Owino replied,

“Fine, no problem, because even I want a good life for my family, so I will do as you say,”

One of the international games said to have been manipulated is the 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifier between Tunisia and Kenya, which were played on October 11, 2009.

An email from Owino to two other players named Pascal and Julius read as follows,

“I want you to put a good fight for 25 minutes and concede one goal in the first half from 30-45 minutes, another at the 65th minute, and the third in the 80th.”

However, when reached for comment, Owino, who has since left his club Mathare United for an Australian based club claimed that he was not aware about the allegations.

“If there is anything like that, let us wait for relevant authorities to do their investigations. I cannot comment anything for now” he said.