Football Kenya Federation has finally cracked the whip on rogue match officials in the BetKing Premier League.
In a statement released on Friday evening, the federation said that five match officials have been suspended as a ‘precautionary measure in the interest of safeguarding the integrity of its Leagues and competitions.’
The five, whose suspensions take effect immediately include; Samuel Mwaura, Isaac Memusi, Collins Opiyo, Japheth Juma, and FIFA Referee, Raymond Onyango.
Moreover, the federation’s Integrity Department, with the assistance of FIFA, has initiated preliminary investigations against the said individuals, with a view of establishing their involvement, if any, in the said match manipulation practices.
“The federation remains confident in the integrity of the FKF-PL and has with the assistance of FIFA established and consistently continues to update, its match manipulation detection platform, with a view of protecting and safeguarding the integrity of all its competitions, against global match-fixers,” the federation said in a statement.
There has been a public outroar from coaches on the levels of officiating with many lamenting open bias from the ‘arrogant referees’.
On June 30, 2021,Back on the 30th of June, AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems questioned most of the refereeing calls as Kariobangi Sharks beat Ingwe 1-0. Ingwe felt undone with some of the decisions, a match he felt they could have easily won.
"To be honest this game alongside that of Wazito were part of our preparations for our final against Gor. Today we lost because of a penalty which was not a penalty. It happens in football as referees as error is to humans," Aussems lamented.
Last week, Ulinzi Stars head coach Benjamin Nyangweso cried foul as his team lost 2-1 to second placed KCB.
Nyangweso in his post-match interview lamented at poor officiating that denied his side a win.
"If that's the level of officiating we will be subjected to, we better not play. It is demoralizing to prepare a team for days only for the officials to work against you. He gave out two non-existent penalties yet there were no fouls committed. When we lose fairly, I always concede defeat but this one, his calls were biased, " the head coach protested.