Today, Kenyans woke up to the sad news that some Harambee Stars players have been colluding with rogue match-fixers to deliberately lose matches in exchange for money.
According to an article published on various dailies, football governing body FIFA revealed, in a 10-page report, that Harambee Stars player George Owino Audi together with other players named Pascal and Julius, were collaborating with international match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal to lose games on purpose.
In another report, Paul Nkata, head coach of Kakamega Homeboyz football club has been paying players to lose games. The report read in part, "Nkata is alleged to have paid his players on various occasions to lose matches in favor of bets placed in one of the betting companies he is claimed to co-own,"
If these allegations are true, then lovers of sports have been taken for a ride, especially those who have been investing their hard-earned cash in sports betting.
It is very wrong for a head coach to pay players to lose matches for selfish gains. It is also very wrong for players to accept money and betray their clubs.
It is even worse when you take into account that a fan, who has built trust in a club, decides to demonstrate his or her trust by placing a bet for his or her team.
It takes two to tango. Just like corruption, match-fixing involves two players. The person paying and the person receiving the illegal payments. In my opinion, FIFA should give utmost punishment to those found guilty in the match-fixing scandal.
They have not only destroyed their teams but they have also tarnished the name of sports and in particular, sports betting.
The government should give harsher regulations to sports betting firms found to be accomplices in the match-fixing saga. If possible, their operating license should be rescinded.
Match-fixing is a crime punishable by both local and international laws.
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