Integrity in sport update: CONCAF developing assistance programmes to help prevent match-fixing in football

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) stated that allegations of match-fixing raised by Zesco United during the Charity Shield semi-finals between Zesco and Nkana may have dire consequences on the league if left unchecked.

Meanwhile, Panamanian first division clubs and referees attended a workshop on sport integrity delivered by a CONCACAF Sports Integrity Official.

CURRENT INVESTIGATION

France

The disciplinary commission of the Professional football league will examine on March 16 and 17, the case of matches allegedly fixed in the French second league. Caen found itself at the heart of a match-fixing scandal at the end of last season, with wine bottles allegedly delivered by Nimes after a match between the two teams. 6 people have been charged with corruption in the case.

Source: "L'affaire des matches truqués etudiée", 26 February 2015, Figaro, https://sport24.lefigaro.fr/football/ligue-2/fil-info/l-affaire-des-matches-truques-etudiee-739171

GOOD PRACTICE

Panama

Ten clubs of the Panamanian first division and first division referees attended a workshop on sport integrity delivered by CONCACAF Sports Integrity Official, Hubert Isenia.

Isenia stressed the importance of these activities to empower players, coaches and administrative staff to become an active force for the eradication of any kind of fraudulent activity in football.

Through these workshops, FIFA, CONCACAF and the Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT) aim to train players, coaches and club managers to identify situations and report acts that threaten the integrity of competitions.

Source: "FEPAFUT y CONCACAF dictan taller de integridad deportiva", 24 February 2015, SomosLaSele, https://somoslasele.com/historia/4251/fepafut-y-concacaf-dictan-taller-de-integridad-deportiva#.VPQQWCziMQs

ODDS AND ENDS

CONCACAF

CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice-President, Jeffrey Webb stated in Managua that the organisation is developing assistance programmes to prevent match-fixing which he described as the most important crime affecting football. He stressed that match-fixing can undermine the trust of the supporters have in the game. Last year, CONCACAF approved a programme to combat match-fixing.

The Nicaraguan national team has been the subject of match-fixing allegations in relation to a game lost to Panama in the World Cup qualifiers. Webb didn’t make any comments about the investigation but stated that any sanctions will be taken seriously by the organisation.

Source: "Concacaf trabaja en la prevención de amaños de partidos", 1 March 2015, AFP, https://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/internacional/noticias/6516592/03/15/Concacaf-trabaja-en-la-prevencion-de-amanos-de-partidos.html#Kku8dyBLFo7xeNf9

Malawi

Controversy and disagreements have erupted in the Northern Region Football Association League (NRFAL) following what some quarters call “poor administration” of the league and have since accused some of the administrators of match-fixing. Nyasa Times understands that Chilumba Barracks who are the current league leaders with 99 points two ahead of second place Mzuni F.C and are the favourites to earn top flight TNM Super League promotion were planning to write the country’s soccer governing body Football Association Malawi (FAM) expressing their grievances as we went to press. Chilumba Barracks is against the decision by the NRFAL Committee in setting a replay of a game involving Mzuni F.C and Kapolo F.C which according to NRFAL ended prematurely. Major Basikolo of Chilumba said this is against the rules and regulations of the game of football. Northern Region Football League Association General Secretary Alfred Gunda could not produce tangible reasons on what caused the abandonment of the game.

Source: "Controversy surrounds North Malawi League, fears of match fixing", 24 February 2015, Nyasa Times, https://www.nyasatimes.com/2015/02/24/controversy-surrounds-north-malawi-league-fears-of-match-fixing/

Malta

The Premier Division Standing Committee (PDSC) is urging the Malta FA to instruct its Integrity Officer Franz Tabone to sustain his arguments on match-fixing in the local game and pass all information he has to the police for further investigation. The PDSC again denied any involvement by its members in corrupt practices to finance their operation at clubs and said it was unfair that everyone was put in the same basket by Mr Tabone in one of his newsletter contributions. The PDSC was giving its official reaction to a controversial newsletter in January in which Mr Tabone said that Maltese football was “infested” with corruption up to the point that it was “steadily destroying” the image of the local game. “Our clubs and their officials were left facing serious accusations and everyone was put in a bad light as a result of the claims made in Newsletter no.35,” the PDSC said in a release signed by secretary Mario Debono.

Source: "PDSC wants action not words on match-fixing", 1 March 2015, Times of Malta, https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150301/football/PDSC-wants-action-not-words-on-match-fixing.558049

Mexico

In an interview with La Aficion, former player Efrain ‘Cuchillo’ Herrera revealed that corruption attempts took place in Mexican football during his time as a player (1978 – 1998). While he was playing for America football club, former Atlante club owner Jose Antonio Garcia offered him money for a America win against a team which was competing with Atlante to remain in the first division. Cuchillo was an America player for three seasons from 1985 to 1989; Atlante was facing relegation during those years.

Cuchillo also stated that when he was playing for Atlas football club, players in the Mexican league were allegedly involved in match-fixing.

Source: "'Cuchillo' Herrera denuncia sobornos en futbol mexicano", 24 February 2015, La Afición, https://laaficion.milenio.com/futbol/Cuchillo_Herrera_denuncio_sobornos_futbol_mexicano-America_Cuchillo_herrera_0_469753293.html

Zambia

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says the match fixing allegations raised by Zesco United during the Charity Shield semi-finals between Zesco and Nkana on Sunday may have dire consequences on the league if left unchecked. Zesco beat Nkana 5-4 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time. Zesco secretary Justin Mumba alleged that referee Milton Mweemba was under instructions to ensure that Nkana win the match. Mumba made the allegation in the first quarter of the first half following decisions made by the referee which he did not agree with. FAZ vice-president Borniface Mwamelo said he heard Mumba making the allegations and the two engaged in an exchange of words. Mwamelo, who is also FAZ premier league chairman then called for the attention of FAZ referees’ manager Katongo Kabungo. In an interview after the briefing, Mwamelo said the matter Zesco was raising had the capacity to destroy the image of Zambian football and stressed that allegations of match-fixing are taken seriously.

Source: "Zesco’s match fixing claims against ref can be costly - FAZ ", 24 February 2015, Post Zambia, https://www.postzambia.com/news.php?id=6144#sthash.vW0nJJ3H.dpuf

SENTENCES/SANCTIONS

United Kingdom

Rangers goalkeeper Steve Simonsen's two-match ban for betting on matches has been challenged by the Scottish FA compliance officer. He says the punishment handed down by an independent panel was too lenient. Simonsen was banned for two matches - one suspended until the end of the season - after being found guilty of betting on a total of 55 games. This is the first occasion a compliance officer has appealed the decision of an independent panel. Regulations enabling them to do so, should they feel a sanction unduly lenient, were introduced at the start of the season by the Scottish Football Association. Rangers did not appeal the original decision. No date has been set for the appeal. Simonsen, 35, bet on 18 matches last season, as well as 37 during the current domestic campaign.

Source: "Rangers: SFA compliance officer challenges Steve Simonsen ban", 24 February 2015, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31632120

Monday, 02 March 2015