As the match-fixing menace continues to constrict efforts to grow football in the country, players remain the most affected and the easy scapegoats for blame, something Fifpro Senior Legal Counsel Loïc Alves says needs to change.Speaking on the sidelines of the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) elective congress that, saw James Situma elected unopposed, Alves, who was the observer for the parent body Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels (FIFPRO) called on all stakeholders to come together and protect players and the game.Alves lauded KEFWA for a transparent election and involving all teams in four top-most leagues in the country arguing that when players’ welfare is well taken care off the temptation to fix matches is minimized.Situma promises CBA with FKF to improve players’ welfare“We are happy to see the players involved and are taking charge of their own association. This was an expression of a democratic process and I believe the office will deliver. We have partnered with KEFWA on several aspects including disputes, litigation, mental health sensitization programs like Mind the Gap. We are also partnering on ending match fixing,” he offered.Calls continue for parliament to come up with a law criminalizing match fixing. As it is, federations and local authorities can only apply laws touching on other money-related offenses which is not enough to punish perpetrators for the vice.##NAJAVA_MECA_7312570##“Players need to be protected when they report on such matters. Beating match fixing requires a multi-layered approach. For the players, if they report, their anonymity should be protected. Players’ reports should then be the beginning and the first step to opening criminal investigations. The federation has to work with the state’s justice system to come up with a solution for such crimes. Often, we blame players for such things but match fixing is bigger than that. We are talking about mafia organizations running gambling schemes who approach players that have, probably, not been paid for months and lure them into making some quick buck,” Alves concluded.Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has so far suspended more than 25 individuals, including coaches, players and referees over match fixing allegations.We appreciate the incredible support of our partners from @FIFPRO towards this journey.They are also present to observe the elective congress with their legal representatives.#KefwaElections pic.twitter.com/cuLZTASRc9— KEFWA (@kefwaofficial) June 10, 2023
