FIFA bans three Kenyan players for match fixing

NAIROBI - Kenyan footballers Moses Chikati, Festus Okiring and Festo Omukoto have been banned with immediate effect by world football governing body FIFA for match fixing.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, FIFA found the trio guilty of match fixing during the 2019 Kenyan Premier League season.

"The FIFA disciplinary committee has found several players guilty of having been involved in match manipulation in violation of art. 69 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (2017 ed.)," FIFA said in a statement.

A fourth player, George Mandela from Uganda, was also banned.

"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," FIFA said.

The three Kenyans will be sanctioned for breach of the FIFA code for a period of four years.

"These players 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 years. They are Moses Chikati, Festus Okiring and Festo Omukoto," FIFA added.

FIFA said the formal disciplinary proceedings against the aforementioned individuals stemmed from an investigation into various matches from the Kenyan Premier League in 2019.

"Formal disciplinary proceedings against the players 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," said FIFA.

"The findings of the relevant decisions were notified to the concerned individuals, the date on which the relevant bans come into force," it said.