Match fixing has become a big danger to our football as week in and week out there are allegations of match fixing.
Everywhere it is those teams with the financial muscle to bribe referees or who can afford to pay in return for favours, who are allegedly controlling the proceedings instead of those who are good enough on the football field.
What is even disturbing is that the match fixing has gone to the extent that some clubs are understood to be paying off the opposition in order to get the result they require.
A case in point, is that of Norton Community Football Club who suspended a host of their players to institute investigations into word that the said players threw away their game in that 7-0 mauling by Scottland.
Even more disturbing in the match fixing scandal is that the authorities have seen it happen, but are powerless to act because there is no proof to conclude the match fixing allegations.
An example to that is the decision of the Zifa Northern Region to award three points — coincidentally to Scottland — after referee Matthew Dingo ended the match two minutes before normal time claiming he had been hit by a ball thrown by a Karoi United fan.
There were two teams on the field of play and Scottland is known to have a massive following and yet the referee claimed it was a Karoi United fan, who threw the ball that hit and injured him.
Even the match commissioner who was seated far off the incident also concluded that the ball that hit the referee was thrown by a Karoi United fan and the Zifa Northern Region leadership fell for it.
The question is: How did the referee and the match commissioner conclude that the ball that hit the referee came from a Karoi United fan?
For example, a Caps United fan can attend a Caps United versus Dynamos match wearing a Chelsea replica jersey and be mistaken for being a Dynamos follower.
Even a Dynamos fan can attend a Dynamos versus Highlanders match wearing a Newcastle replica jersey and be mistaken for being a Highlanders supporter.
Without accusing Scottland of paying off - as has been claimed by many that match in my opinion should have been replayed the remaining two minutes or the two teams should have shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
The following are examples similar to the incident involving Karoi United and Scottland:
Referee Thabani Bamala was assaulted in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
Date: April 24, 2016
Location: Rufaro Stadium.
Match: Dynamos vs. CAPS United
With 15 minutes remaining (75th minute) and the score tied 1-1, referee Thabani Bamala was assaulted by an unknown fan who invaded the pitch. The fan, wearing a face mask and no team colours, pushed Bamala to the ground.
Circumstances:
- Bamala was separating players from a scuffle when he was attacked.
- Stadium security failed to apprehend the assailant, who escaped into the crowd.
- No fans from either team invaded the pitch.
- The match was abandoned due to safety concerns.
Investigation:
- Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) launched an investigation.
- Review of CCTV footage and witness statements.
- Interviews with players, coaches, and stadium staff.
Consequences:
- Dynamos and CAPS United were both fined US$2,000 by Zifa.
- Enhanced security measures implemented for future matches.
- Zifa warned clubs to ensure adequate security.
- Disciplinary Committee hearing: The 1-1 result stood.
Disciplinary committee ruling:
After reviewing evidence and testimony, the disciplinary committee concluded:
n The assault was perpetrated by an unknown individual.
n No clear evidence linked the assault to either Dynamos or CAPS United.
n The match result (1-1) would stand.
Referee Assaulted by Unknown Fan in Nigerian Premier League*
Date: March 17, 2022
Location: Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria
Match : Akwa United vs. Rivers United
Incident Details
With five minutes remaining (85th minute) and the score tied 1-1, referee Abdullahi Usman was assaulted by an unknown fan, who invaded the pitch. The fan, wearing a face mask and no team colours, punched Usman in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
Circumstances:
- Usman was focusing on a Rivers United player's injury when attacked.
- Stadium security failed to apprehend the assailant, who escaped into the crowd.
- No fans from either team invaded the pitch.
- The match was abandoned due to safety concerns.
Investigation:
- Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) launched an investigation.
- Review of CCTV footage and witness statements.
- Interviews with players, coaches, and stadium staff.
Consequences:
- Akwa United and Rivers United were both fined 5 million (approximately US$12 500) for failing to ensure stadium security.
- Enhanced security measures implemented for future matches.
- NFF warned clubs to ensure adequate security.
- Disciplinary committee hearing: The 1-1 result stood, as there was no evidence.
There are so many incidents similar to the above situations and decisions like the one made between Karoi United and Scottland was not only unfair to Karoi United but also helps to promote hooliganism.
That decision was also unfair to title contenders MWOS, who are competing with Scottland for that sole ticket to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League in 2025.
In fact, there is no smoke without fire and Zifa should investigate allegations that referees are being bought and that some teams are buying matches and others selling theirs.
What we want is a clean environment where the best teams win through their performance and not on the basis of paying referees and the opposition.
- For your views, comments, and suggestions mkariati@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 0773 266 779.