World governing body FIFA on Tuesday confirmed they have banned three Kenyan players for a period of four years and a Ugandan from all football activities for allegedly being involved in match-fixing.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee said it had found the players guilty of having been involved in match manipulation in violation of art. 69 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (2017 ed.) (unlawfully influencing match results).
The three Kenyans are– Moses Chikati of Kakamega Homeboyz, Festus Okiring, who left Homeboyz for Ulinzi Stars, and Festo Omukoto who joined to Western Stima from Homeboyz.
“The following individuals Moses Chikati, Festus Okiring, and Festo Omukoto have been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four (4) years,” read the statement from the football body.
In the same case, a Ugandan player and former Kakamega Homeboyz player George Mandela, was also banned from all football-related activities for life.
“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 statement added.
The governing body further said it took the disciplinary action against the four players after its investigation into various matches from the Kenyan Premier League in 2019.
“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 statement read in part.
“The findings of the relevant decisions were notified to the concerned individuals today, the date on which the relevant bans come into force. The grounds of the decisions, if requested, will be published on legal.fifa.com in accordance with art. 51 par. 7 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”