Kenya probes goalkeeper match-fixing allegation
NAIROBI: Kenya opened a match-fixing investigation Thursday following allegations that a national team goalkeeper helped rig an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has provisionally suspended goalkeeper Patrick Matasi from all FKF-sanctioned events and competitions for 90 days, following concerns raised by circulating videos suggesting possible match manipulation.
Read more: https://t.co/qAy3IkAneR pic.twitter.com/7du8G0SC67
— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) March 27, 2025
The secretly filmed online amateur video seen by AFP shows an unnamed man talking to Matasi over a plan to fix a match in return for cash.
The former AFC Leopards and Tusker goalkeeper, who also had a playing stint with Ethiopian side Coffee Sports Club, played in Kenya's 4-1 loss to former African champions Cameroon in a 2025 AFCON qualifier in Yaounde last October.
The defeat dimmed Kenya's hopes of qualifying for the finals in Morocco, and led to the resignation of the team's coach Engin Firat.
Matasi was dropped from the team by the new coach Benni McCarthy and did not feature in the recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.
Kenyan football has been hit by the dark shadow of match-fixing malpractices in the recent past with 14 players and two coaches suspended by the FKF in January 2023 following a tip-off about cheating in the national league.
In February 2020, FIFA banned four Kenyan-based players — one for life — over an 'international conspiracy' to fix league matches.
Five Kenyan referees were also later suspended over the same scandal.
The Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis, an independent think tank, warned that match-fixing had infiltrated multiple levels of Kenyan football from grassroots competitions to the professional leagues.
'This has left a trail of disillusionment among fans and undermined the integrity of football and could lead to loss of public trust and confidence in the football industry,' the organization said in a January 2024 report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
15 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Over 2,400 smugglers arrested with huge cache of narcotics in Saudi anti-drug crackdown
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Directorate of Border Guard has successfully foiled major drug smuggling attempts across the Saudi regions of Tabuk, Jazan, Asir, Najran, Makkah, Madinah, and the Eastern Province. These security operations resulted in the seizure of 2,756,806 amphetamine tablets, 1,944,230 tablets subject to medical circulation regulations, four tons of hashish, and 180 tons of khat. In connection with these seizures, 2,411 individuals were arrested, and they include 1,518 Ethiopian nationals; 842 Yemenis; seven Sudanese; six Eritreans; three Somalis; two Pakistanis, and 33 Saudi citizens. This comes as part of the Ministry of Interior's anti-drug mission and its efforts to monitor drug smuggling and trafficking activities that target the security of the Kingdom and its youth. The ministry urged all citizens and residents to report any information related to drug smuggling or promotion. Reports can be made by calling over the number 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province or the number 999 in other regions. Reports can be made via the General Directorate of Border Guard's number 994, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control's number 995, or by emailing 995@ All reports will be treated with complete confidentiality, the ministry said.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Madrid to host grand prix as Formula One announces 2026 calendar
HONG KONG: Spain will host two Formula One grands prix in 2026, with the new race in Madrid joining Barcelona, after organizers on Tuesday announced the calendar for a season that could bring big changes on the grid. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Bangkok set to host Asian Boxing U19 & U22 Boxing Championships
DUBAI: Asian Boxing, the first continental confederation established under World Boxing, has said the Asian Boxing U19 & U22 Boxing Championships will take place from July 30 to Aug. 12 at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The continental event, organized in collaboration with World Boxing and the Thailand Boxing Association, will feature both male and female athletes in two age divisions: U-19 (born in 2007 or 2008) and U-22 (born between 2004 and 2006). The championship is looking to build on the success of Asian Boxing's inaugural continental event held in Amman, Jordan — the Asian Boxing U15 & U17 Championships in April 2025 — which featured more than 400 boxers from 18 countries. Both age group competitions will include the following weight categories: Men: 47–50 kg, 55 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg, 85 kg, 90 kg and +90 kg. Women: 45–48 kg, 51 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg and +80 kg.
