Kenyan second tier club Muhoroni Youth sanctioned by FIFA for match-fixing

Muhoroni Youth FC/Facebook

Kenya Super League club Muhoroni Youth have been sanctioned with automatic relegation to the third tier of the Kenyan football pyramid after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed receipt of the punishment from FIFA on Friday.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee released a statement declaring that the Kisumu County-based club was found guilty of "activities related to the manipulation of football matches and competitions". The FKF released a statement related to the charges on Friday:

"Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirms receipt of official communication from Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) regarding the relegation of Muhoroni Youth Football Club to Division One, following their involvement in match manipulation.

FKF fully supports FIFA’s decision and reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on match-fixing and all forms of manipulation that threaten the integrity of the game. We are committed to working closely with FIFA and other relevant bodies to root out this vice from Kenyan football.

The Federation will continue to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure that individuals and teams found guilty of engaging in match-fixing face the full consequences of their actions, in accordance with FIFA and FKF regulations.

“We are launching a full-scale war on match-fixing in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and all relevant authorities. We cannot allow this vice to undermine the progress we are making to uplift the game. Anyone found culpable will face the full consequences of their actions.

Football must remain fair, honest, and competitive."

Match-fixing continues to be an ongoing issue that the FKF is actively fighting against and Muhoroni Youth's sanction is the latest episode.

Recently, Kenya national team goalkeeper Patrick Matasi came under scrutiny after a video publicized on social media showed the Kakamega Homeboyz keeper having a conversation that seemed to implicate his participation in the banned activity. His case is ongoing after Matasi challenged a 90-day suspension in the Kenyan court system.

Muhoroni Youth may appeal the decision from FIFA.