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Come on Ref!: Corrupt Officiating is Crippling Football in Kenya.


As the FKF-PL curtains came down last week, the integrity of competitions was thrust into the spotlight after five-match officials were suspended on 31st July 2021 pending a probe into the alleged match manipulation.

I stand to be corrected, perhaps it is negotiable for referees to make wrong decisions in the field. But, involvement in match manipulation is unacceptable. It darkens the image officiating as a whole.

FIFA Integrity act 2020 defines match manipulation as the unlawful influencing or alteration, directly or by an act or omission, of the course, result, or any other aspect of a football match or competition. The increasing match-fixing allegations by referees should raise the eyebrows of all football stakeholders.  Is corrupt officiating an epidemic with no antidote?

Regrettably, this phenomenon is infiltrating into lower leagues. It’s a time-ticking bomb that may soon send Kenyan football to its maker. It poses significant threats to the integrity of this beautiful sport. Moreover, it violates the ethics of soccer.

Referees become a prime target of bribery since they have a high degree of influence over the outcome of a match. Unfortunately, some Kenyan referees are now cheaper to bribe.

Match officials no longer respect the emblem of integrity -which FIFA holds as one of its core objectives. Referees should be starkly aware that engaging in match manipulation practices leave them with more scum and grease on their reputation.

So, why do referees agree to participate in match-fixing? Of course, money is the leading motivation. Let me dig deeper to peel your eyeballs.  The other reasons include greed, poor remuneration, lack of adequate technical support, individual corruption, threats by team officials and to placate win at home pattern. Notably, team officials have been faulted for bribing referees to favor them during competitive matches.

When some teams are playing, one may confuse the referee to be their 12th player. Then again, most of the matches in Kenya take place without live coverage. This triggers a platform for match officials to get away with wrongly issued yellow or red cards, controversial penalties, and other biased actions.

FKF has existing sanctions for match manipulation. However, one would consider them as slaps on the wrist-They are not harsh enough to stop match manipulation.

To tame this vice, the working conditions of referees should be improved and the right disciplinary actions must be imposed. The selection of referees should also be on merit.

Then again, there is a need for research showing how corrupt officiating has thrown Kenyan football into an abyss.

It is without a doubt that no referee would ever reach the top level in refereeing without integrity.

Comments

Kenna said…
A prayer that we wake up one day for a successful and a reformed football officiating .and a well laid office to cater for the officials they really are suffering
September 1, 2021 at 2:31 PM
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