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Ex-Harambee Stars defender handed 10-year ban by FIFA for match-fixing

Football

By Clinton Nyabuto | Apr 24, 2019

**George Owino Audi was found guilty of being involved in match manipulation** [Photo, Courtesy]

Former Harambee Stars defender George Owino Audi has been banned from engaging in football-related activity in both national and international levels by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) for ten years.

George Owino Audi was found guilty of being involved in match manipulation, violating the FIFA Disciplinary Code of unlawfully influencing match results.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee handed the Owino the ban on Wednesday, April 24 in a statement on the FIFA website.

Moreover, Owino was also further dented with a CHF 15,000 (Kshs. 1.5 million) fine.

“Moreover, the Kenyan player Mr George Owino Audi has been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of ten (10) years. In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 15,000 has been imposed upon him,” read part of FIFA’s statement.

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In an earlier report in September 2018, FIFA said the ex-Harambee Stars defender instigated match manipulation with a high-profile international match-fixer Mr Wilson Raj Perumal between 2009 and 2011.

“The formal disciplinary proceedings into the aforementioned individuals stemmed from an extensive investigation into various international matches that Mr Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes. This large-scale investigation was conducted by FIFA over several years through its Integrity Department and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities.” FIFA added in their statement.

The 38-year-old defender currently plays for Sofapaka FC in the SportPesa Premier League.

Alongside Owino, FIFA also banned eight players from participating in football for life as they were also found guilty of match manipulation. The players include:

Mr Karlon Murray, Trinidad and Tobago

Mr Keyeno Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago

Mr Hellings Mwakasungula, Malawi

Mr Ibrahim Kargbo, Sierra Leone

Mr Kudzanai Shaba, Zimbabwe

Mr Séïdath Tchomogo, Benin

Mr Leonel Duarte, Cuba

Mr Mohammad Salim Israfeel Kohistani, Afghanistan