Former Kakamega Homeboyz and Uganda defender George Mandela says he is innocent of match-fixing charges and might appeal against a life ban imposed by the world football’s governing body, FIFA.
The 25-year-old was handed the ban early this month for agreeing to “receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of two Kenyan Premier League matches.”
“I have never involved myself in match-fixing as they stated but this came simply because we foreigners and are always at fault in Kenya and just in case of any poor results we were the ones to be blamed,” the 2015 KPL New Young Player of the Year said in a statement.
And Mandela says his football career will effectively be finished forever if FIFA doesn’t revisit its decision.
“I have decided to wake up and fight for my rights because I really need to get back on the pitch. I don’t know any other job apart from football and therefore I can’t sit down and watch immoral people destroy my career simply because I am a foreigner,” he added.
The verdict was imposed reached by the world football governing body on February 4, 2020 where Mandela was banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for life.
“I’m yet to appeal but the process of doing so is ongoing,” he stated when asked to reveal if he will file an appeal.
Kenyan trio of Moses Chikati, Festus Okiring and Festo Omukoto were also involved in the case and FIFA banned them from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for a period of four years.
The formal disciplinary proceedings against the individuals stemmed from an investigation into various matches from the Kenyan Premier League in 2019.
The four players were accused by Kakamega Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula of receiving cash to influence the outcome of matches where Sony edged out Homeboyz 2-1 in Awendo while Mathare triumphed 3-2 at Kasarani Stadium.
George Mandela (right) when he was playing for Muhoroni Youth vies for the ball against former Tusker player Jockins Atudo. Photo Courtesy: Standard Newspapers
