Match-fixing cases confirmed by Fufa shouldn’t surprise us

Some people in the local football fraternity insist that they continue to see encouraging signals even after a dozen people were this week red-flagged over match-fixing claims.

For others, however, (and feel free to include your humble columnist) the Fufa Ethics and Disciplinary Committee's revelation that the 12 individuals were involved “in a match manipulation scheme orchestrated by a foreign betting syndicate” is as regrettable as a bad marriage. 

Complicating things further is the fact that the rogue elements in question “targeted a number of fixtures in the 2023/2024 season.” It leaves us with a headspinningly unpredictable situation on our hands. Not to mention the overwhelming deluge of pertinent questions.

What matches are we talking about here? What sort of impact did they have in the grand scheme of things? Did an eventual champion benefit? How? Could an outfit have managed to beat the drop if the league was proofed against match-fixing? What league, anyway?

As expected, responsible authorities continue to hold a blank sheet of paper where they should have answers. As a result an eerie calm prevails.

There are, however, signs that betray an underlying unease. Indeed, the apparent serenity belies an ugly truth. The fact of the matter is that Ugandan club football cannot be said to represent what is now a lost innocence. And this has been the case for quite some time now.

The danger signs have always been there in profusion. The incompetence of people running the sport continues to be a threat to all those around them, including themselves. Yet they choose to vainly conceal their shortcomings.

The ugly truth alluded to earlier, dear reader, is that the roots of our match-fixing malaise (and it is a debilitating malaise) run deeper than just a dozen people. Much, much deeper. Possibly hundreds!

To be brutally frank, and to stretch the malaise metaphor, we are dealing with an aggressive type of cancer. Denial keeps making the malady metastasise. Anyone that claims to mean well should continue to be relentless in both their advice and criticism.

It will not be in vain, and this is not just because history will not judge them harshly. No. The match-fixing trend currently assailing Ugandan football, while troubling, is not irreversible.

Question, however, is: are we ready to deal with all that chemotherapy brings with it? The tough body blows in the shape of hair loss and nausea, to mention but two. We have to if a sport that is dear to many in the country is to stand a fighting chance.

Empirical research shows that the pandemic ensured that match-fixing ceased taking root in barren soil. Especially in banana republics like Uganda.

Teams, players and officials (referees, coaches and even club presidents) were rendered vulnerable. When they dipped their fingers into the cookie jar, there was no turning back.

Over the years, we have seen a steep rise in suspicious betting activity on matches in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and Fufa Big League.

The heads of punters in Eastern Europe have severally been turned. Instead of going on chemo, responsible authorities in Uganda have opted to live in denial.

The metastasis should not come as a vulgar surprise. In fact, things are primed to get worse before getting better. Brace yourself, dear reader. Sadly.