KAMPALA –Uganda’s FA – Fufa on Monday announced that its Ethics and Disciplinary arm had forbidden referee, John Bosco Kalibbala from participating in any football-related activity for the next 15 years as a punishment for manipulating match results.
Kalibbala, according to a statement from Fufa, was found guilty of receiving financial gain in return for influencing the outcome of various matches, particularly in games played last season.
“The Fufa Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has banned referee, Kalibala John Bosco from taking part in any kind of football related activity, at national level (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of fifteen years (15) for breaching Fufa Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
“Upon critical analysis of the evidence on the file and the submissions of (Mr) Kalibala, the Committee 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 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 November 30, 2021; investigation into Match No. 90 Gaddafi FC v Onduparaka FC played on December 21, 2021; as well as his own admissions and established that in the matches mentioned above and on other numerous occasions, Mr. Kalibala received financial gain in return for influencing the outcome of the matches.
“The decision was based on Fufa’s 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.
“In this respect, the Committee stresses that (Mr) Kalibala was subject to the strongest sanction the Committee could impose,” read the statement, adding that further investigations were on-going on this matter and other cases as reported to Fufa.
In one of the highlighted matches – particularly Tooro United v UPDF, referee Kalibala awarded each side two penalties.
Referees’ actions related to match-fixing have on many occasion facilitated the fans’ infamous behaviours of violence. Last year, Fufa took a slightly similar action on three individuals including a former Police FC official, Abraham Luzzi, coach James Kaweesa, and journalist David Isabirye, insisting the trio had participated in match fixing and therefore banned from taking part in any football activities at the national and International levels.
