The integrity of Kenyan football has once again come under scrutiny after FIFA expelled National Super League (NSL) side Muhoroni Youth for involvement in match manipulation.The club’s senior team has also been relegated to the third-tier Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division One League, dealing a significant blow to a side that has been fighting to stay afloat.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsIn a statement released this week, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee confirmed that following extensive investigations, Muhoroni Youth had been found guilty of participating in activities that compromised the integrity of football matches and competitions.##NAJAVA_MECA_8901301##“This decision reflects FIFA’s zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation,” read part of the statement. “The FKF has been informed, and enforcement of the sanctions is expected ahead of the upcoming season.”In a statement, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed the suspension of the team, stating that:”Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirms receipt of official communication from the 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.” added FKF General Secretary Harold Ndege.President Ruto gifted by former Manchester United midfielder Bastian SchweinsteigerThis ruling places Muhoroni Youth at the heart of a growing list of Kenyan clubs tainted by match-fixing scandals.In March 2024, the Football Kenya Federation banned 15 players and officials, some associated with teams in the top-flight Premier League, over similar allegations.In one of the most high-profile cases, Zoo Kericho FC was expelled from the Kenyan Premier League in 2021 following allegations of match manipulation, drawing global attention to Kenya’s vulnerability to the vice.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: Kenya U20’s brilliant game plan against MoroccoMuhoroni Youth’s fall from grace adds a troubling chapter to their turbulent history. Once a rising force in the FKF Premier League, the club has struggled in recent years with instability, poor governance, and financial woes, issues that have made lower-tier Kenyan clubs increasingly susceptible to illicit deals.“The pressure to survive in the lower leagues is immense, and that desperation is exploited by global betting cartels,” said a former FKF official who requested anonymity. “It’s a structural issue, not just a club issue.”FIFA also announced similar sanctions against Vietnam’s Phu Tho FC, which has been expelled from the Vietnamese Second Division and relegated to the third tier.##NAJAVA_MECA_8901286##To combat the growing threat, FIFA has urged all member associations, including the FKF, to implement rigorous preventive measures.The world football body reiterated the availability of its secure whistleblowing platform, designed to report and investigate integrity-related misconduct discreetly.For Muhoroni Youth, the sanctions mark a sobering turning point. While the club retains the right to appeal the decision within ten days, the ruling has already cast a long shadow over its legacy.
