MATCH-FIXING: FUFA bans referee for ten years, Gaddafi duo slapped with five-year bans

FUFA has handed referee George Nkurunziza a ten-year ban from all football activities after finding him guilty of fixing a match.

The federation had suspended the lanky referee and seven others in May as they investigated match-fixing allegations.

According to the football governing body, the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee found the referee guilty of manipulating football matches contrary to their codes.

“The FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has found referee Mr Nkurunziza George guilty of a violation of Articles 41 (Manipulation of football matches or competitions or match statistics), Article 24(3) (General Duties) and Article 42 (Failure to report) of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code,” the verdict reads in part.

It adds that “The Committee analysed and evaluated the evidence on file and the defence put forward by Mr 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.”

The federation has, therefore, decided to ban the referee, who has been officiating for the last nine years, from all football-related activities for a period of ten years.

Earlier on the day, Nkurunziza had announced his resignation as a referee through a letter that he addressed to the chairman referee’s committee.

Gaddafi players

Nkurunziza has not been banned alone! Gaddafi players Yaya Mahad Kakooza and Andrew Waiswa have been found guilty of violating the same codes and banned for five years each.

The three have been given the option to appeal the verdict.

The trio were suspended alongside five others but FUFA has not given an update of the remaining referee Deogratius Opiyo and the players.

The players include Godfrey Lwasibawa, Calvary FC goalkeeper Saleh Maganda, Northern Gateway FC goalkeeper Franco Oringa and Ndejje University right back Mwima Abdallah.