3 busted in Kenyan match-fixing sting
Akhiad Kubiev, along with Uganda’s Bernard Navendi, and Martin Munga Mutua were arrested in a sting operation in Nairobi on Friday night where they were allegedly plotting to fix a local Premier League game. The Football Kenya Federation said in a statement issued in Kenya’s capital Nairobi that the arrests are part of a wide-ranging probe into match-fixing…
NAIROBI, March 11 (Xinhua) — Three people were detained in police custody in the ongoing investigations into match-fixing in the Kenyan football league, the local federation and police announced on Saturday.
Akhiad Kubiev, along with Uganda’s Bernard Navendi, and Martin Munga Mutua were arrested in a sting operation in Nairobi on Friday night where they were allegedly plotting to fix a local Premier League game.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) said in a statement issued in Kenya’s capital Nairobi that the arrests are part of a wide-ranging probe into match-fixing in the country’s top two divisions.
“One Kenyan and two foreigners were arrested for being involved in issuing bribes and match-fixing. Due to the sensitivity of the case, FKF will not be commenting further on the matter until investigations concluded,” federation Chief Executive Barry Otieno said.
Local police later confirmed that the three were arrested on Friday as they allegedly planned to influence Saturday’s Kenyan Premier League game between Nairobi City Stars and former champions Sofapaka.
“The men will be produced in court on Monday,” affirmed Jimmy Kimaru, Kasarani divisional director of criminal investigations.
In a report that was published by local publication Daily Nation, the sting involved seven City Stars players with the team promised 14,000 U.S. dollars to throw the game against Sofapaka.
Former player Festo Omukuto, who was banned alongside three other players for match-fixing by FIFA in 2020, is reported to have organized the sting.
In January, FKF suspended three players for match-fixing as investigations continue. Enditem