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Former Kenya international Nicholas Muyoti demands fair player pay to combat match-fixing, highlighting the game's corrupting influence and the challenges players face.
Over the past few years, the Kenyan football arena has been awash with discussions about match-fixing especially in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) and the National Super League (NSL).
Locally, match-fixing is widespread and no longer a secret, as the organized crime involves both local criminals and their counterparts in Asia and other parts of the world.
Reported cases of match-fixing on Kenyan soil have escalated since the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match pitting Kenya and Nigeria that was staged at the Kasarani Stadium.
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Wilson Raj Perumal, regarded as the world's most prolific match-fixer in football, claimed to have helped the Super Eagles win the final qualifying group.
In his confession, Perumal, who was sentenced over match-fixing allegations, claimed to have given a certain amount of money amounting to millions to three Kenyan players who he was sure would be included in the first 11.
Nine years after the match, FIFA banned former Kenya international George Owino Audi for 10 years after he was found guilty of match-fixing.
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In recent years, there have been several cases reported, with the Football Kenya Federation taking action by suspending and banning players involved in the vice.
Now, Former Kenya international Nicholas Muyoti has called upon football clubs across the country to improve the welfare of their players as a means to combat gambling and match-fixing.
Muyoti, who is currently in charge of Nairobi City Stars, has strongly condemned the match-fixing vice
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"Match-fixing is a cancer that eats away at the very essence of football. Betting has had a devastating impact, which I witnessed firsthand during my playing days in Asia.
"I saw players begging referees for red cards, goalkeepers letting in easy goals, and teammates content with consistent losses," Muyoti recalled in Tiki Taka Show.
“Goalkeepers would let in absurdly easy goals, leaving me with more questions than answers. Surprisingly, some of my teammates seemed content with this, leaving me bewildered until I uncovered the grim truth behind their actions."
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Indeed, the scandalous revelation of the world's most prolific match-fixer in football, Wilson Raj Perumal, claiming involvement in the Kenya vs. Nigeria match, exposed the international scope of this menace. But according to Muyoti, the solutions can be local.
"One effective remedy I'd propose for teams in our league is to ensure that players are compensated fairly. This could deter players from being swayed by the allure of match-fixing," Muyoti stated.
“Unfortunately, some clubs mistreat their players. They either don't pay them on time or choose to pay them sporadically. This erratic pattern makes it impossible for players to manage their daily expenses."
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Football, a sport that demands complete concentration, requires players to be free of external pressures. When the daily grind of managing expenses and securing one’s livelihood overshadows the love for the game, the very spirit of the sport is compromised.
Muyoti poignantly questions the future of the sport in such an environment, stating, “Imagine being a player in the Premier League, witnessing senior players grappling with these challenges. How can a young, budding player be motivated in such an environment?"
This urgent plea for improved pay and better treatment is not just about saving the present players but ensuring the future of the sport in Kenya.
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If the up-and-coming generation witnesses their idols and senior players succumbing to the pressures of match-fixing due to financial duress, the future of Kenyan football is grim.
"We must enhance the standards and practices of our football to inspire the next generation," Muyoti emphasized in his conclusion.
FKF has made efforts in recent years, to act against those involved in match-fixing. Yet, Muyoti’s call highlights a more profound and systemic issue.
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To root out the evil of match-fixing, clubs across the country must ensure that players are fairly compensated, paid on time, and treated with the respect they deserve.
The fight against match-fixing begins with addressing the immediate needs of the players, ensuring their welfare, and safeguarding the sport's integrity for generations to come.
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