Keeper Patrick Matasi suspended for 90 days over match-fixing allegations

Keeper Patrick Matasi suspended for 90 days over match-fixing allegations

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi during Training session at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi on October 09, 2024. Kenya National Football Team is preparing ahead of back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Cameroon. Photo/Samwel Ogor/Sportpicha

‎The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has provisionally suspended Harambee Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper Patrick Matasi for 90 days over alleged involvement in match manipulation.

‎The decision follows concerns raised by circulating videos on social media suggesting possible match-fixing with an unknown individual who is believed to be a 'recruiter.'

In a statement released on Thursday, FKF said the suspension applies to all FKF-sanctioned competitions and events.

The federation has also launched an official investigation into the matter in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities.

‎“This decision, made in accordance with Section VII (2) of the FKF Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations (2016), has been formally communicated to Kakamega Homeboyz FC and the player,” stated FKF.

‎FKF emphasized its commitment to upholding integrity in football and ensuring a fair and transparent process throughout the investigation.

The federation assured stakeholders that further updates will be provided as the inquiry progresses.

‎Earlier, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula said that he had shared the videos with Matasi, who categorically stated that he had no knowledge of them.

‎According to Shimanyula, when the first video emerged on Wednesday night, he sent it to Matasi, who denied any involvement.

On Thursday morning, Shimanyula shared the second part of the video with him, but Matasi maintained that he was not the person in it and was shocked by the allegations.

‎Speaking further on the matter, Shimanyula defended the club, stating that Matasi has played only three games for Homeboyz, including FKF Cup matches, where he was instrumental in saving penalties.

He emphasized that he does not support match-fixing and has previously exposed five players involved in the vice.

‎“For Matasi, if there is any evidence against him, it will not be linked to Kakamega Homeboyz. He has only been with us for a month. People should not refer to him as a Kakamega Homeboyz player in this case because when all this happened, he was not in our squad,” Shimanyula asserted.

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