The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has banned referee Kalibala John Bosco from all football activities for 10 years after he was found guilty of match-fixing in Uganda Premier League.
FUFA’s decision follows investigations made by undisclosed informants and sworn affidavits that Kalibala provided “technical” assistance in two Uganda Premier League matches in the 2021/2022 season.
“The FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has found the referee guilty of infringement of Article 31 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code (Duty to report) and Article 44 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code (Manipulation of football matches or competitions)¸ the statement reads.
“The Ethics and Disciplinary Committee analysed the evidence on the file namely; the CAF Match Integrity Report for Match No. 59 Tooro United v UPDF played on 30th November 2021, investigation into Match No. 90 Gaddafi FC Vs Onduparaka FC played on 21st December 2021 as well as his own admissions.”
It was established that in the two matches and on other numerous occasions, Kalibala accepted cash gifts in return for influencing the outcome of the matches.
The referee has been under suspension since February after he failed to justify some of the decisions that he made in the two matches. One of the decisions was ordering of retake of penalties yet he was in a perfect position to clearly see the goalkeeper didn’t move from his position.
FUFA noted that the decision to discipline the referee was based on its zero tolerance against all kinds of match manipulation and or match-fixing, the need for sanctions to serve as a deterrent to other individuals, the need to maintain the integrity of the sport, and the threat match-fixing poses to sports competitions.
