FIFA wades into match-fixing scandal
BG Correspondent FOOTBALL International football governing body – FIFA – is likely to dispatch a fact-finding team to Botswana in the wake of a match-fixing scandal that has rocked Botswana Football Association (BFA).
The delegate will assess the matter at hand and also engage with some members of the commission of enquiry team that was appointed by BFA to investigate the allegations, before making any decision on possible match-fixing in local football.
On the 24th of April the BFA commissioned a fact-finding mission following a leaked audio clip which went viral between some of its officials concerning reports of match-fixing.
The BFA has released a statement confirming that they have received a report from the committee it had assigned to investigate the match fixing allegations but is yet to release a verdict on the matter.
Some serious concerns have been raised by some close to the operations at Lekidi Football Centre that hoax tactics are being employed to tamper with the report for a more lenient charge or possibly to absolve the perpetrators of any wrongdoing.
“There is a plan to tamper with that report, remember it should be submitted to FIFA and the findings and recommendations of the report from the investigating team could see some of those implicated being banned from football—they [BFA] are plotting to find a way to save their close allies,” a reliable informant close to BFA dealings told this publication.
According to a statement that was released by the BFA, terms and references of the committee included:
i) investigate nature of the audio clip being a recorded conversation between BFA’s General Manager Monnakgotla Mojaki and Joshua Bondo, in particular, whether there was an attempt to bribe or influence a match official or to match fix.
ii) Investigate whether there are grounds to conclude that Mojaki has breached the BFA condition of service and work place policies.
iii) Advise whether Mojaki’s conduct constitutes misconduct and if so, whether he should be referred to a disciplinary enquiry.
iv) Investigate whether match-fixing is prevalent and if it is, advise how BFA can resolve this.
BFA further indicated that they acknowledge the report and informed members of the public that they will be studying it before deciding on their next course of action.
It was however mindboggling to see one of the accused individuals, Monnakgotla Mojaki, back to his duties this past weekend during the Orange FA cup final between Orapa United and Gaborone United.
This publication learned that by the end of this week, it will be almost two weeks since Mojaki has been back to his position.
When quizzed on what informed the decision to bring back Mojaki, BFA CEO Mfolo Edwin Mfolo declined to comment.
“It is a matter that I can’t comment on because the report still has to go before the NEC (National Executive Committee), so it is a matter I cannot comment on.
“Whether he [Monnakgotla Mojaki] is back in office or not is neither here nor there, it is a matter that I can’t comment on because the report is still to be presented before the NEC,” Mfolo responded.
The NEC was supposed to meet on Tuesday this week but their meeting was postponed as the BFA leadership had another meeting with First Lady, Neo Masisi, on the same day, this publication gathered.
“It is an internal matter, the person who suspended him is the CEO, he is also the person who is entitled to decide on whether he [Mojaki] can return to office or not, but he must have solid reasons as the CEO. The NEC will still have a final say on the matter with aid of the report of course,” inside sources at Lekidi said.
There have been serious concerns that the accused person could get his hands on the report and possibly tamper with its contents if he returned to Lekidi.