CAF sets up panel to investigate $30,000 Match Fixing

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has set up a panel  to look into an alleged attempt to bribe the match referee for the Plateau United and USM Alger of Algeria CAF Confederation Cup tie at the Agege Stadium in Lagos last month.

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad gave the hint at the end of a preparatory course for prospective match officials in Cairo, Egypt recently. “Investigation on the Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea and others are ongoing,” he added.

Reports in South Africa had suggested that referee Victor Gomes was approached by unknown individuals to influence the result of the match with an offer of $30,000 which he rejected.

The 35-year-old South African immediately reported the matter to CAF.

The course which was conducted for referees ran from April 19 to 24 and had in attendance 28 Referees and 23 Assistant Referees, who will officiate matches for the remainder of the continental club competitions.

CAF is also investigating Equatorial Guinea who was banned in 2016 for attempting to bribe match officials for a Women’s African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Last year, FIFA expelled Equatorial Guinea from the 2019 Women’s World Cup for using forged documents to select players prior to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.