Kenya Football Referees Association (KEFORA) has defended celebrated referee Aden Range Marwa over bribery claims report by Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which was released on Thursday.
According to the report that was aired by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) the referee is alleged to have received a USD 600 bribe in order to influence the outcome of an international football match.
But Kefora through their chairman GMT Ottieno has condemned Anas revelations terming it as a motive to align and discredit the FIFA assistant referee.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“That money could have been offered to Marwa to thank him for agreeing to be interviewed. It is not a bribe,”[/perfectpullquote]
said Otieno.
“He could not have fallen for a paltry USD 600 as he was going to earn over USD 20,000 at the World Cup.”
The Kenyan match official was among the 100 match official from across Africa that were captured on camera collecting cash from Anas’ two-year investigation.
In the clip, Marwa match is heard in this clip acknowledging the cash as a ‘gift’ and even seems all too keen to extend the friendship.
“You know, thank you for the gift but the most important is that friendship, getting to know each other,” he said.
The 41-year old, who was among 63 assistant referees set to officiate at 2018 World Cup in Russia, is said to have immediately resigned few days before the documentary was released.
He had served seven years as a Fifa referee and officiated various high profile matches across the world including the 2017 Fifa Confederations Cup, 2012, 2013 and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, 2014 World Cup in Brazil as well as at Chan (African Nations Championship) competitions, Under-17 World Cup, Caf Under-23 Championship and the Fifa Club World Cup.
