Former Harambee Stars George Owino is among nine people found guilty by FIFA Disciplinary Committee for being involved in match manipulation in violation of article. 69 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The former Mathare United skipper has been handed a 10-year ban which means he has to stay away from all footballing activities for the upcoming decade.
He will now have to play a 1.5 Million in addition.
Moreover, the Kenyan player Mr George Owino Audi has been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of ten (10) years. In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 15,000 has been imposed upon him.
The question in many people minds is how did end up here?
In February, FIFA called for investigations in allegations that several Kenya internationals were fixed, including a 2010 World Cup qualifier.
It was after a preliminary investigation into the roles of Owino and convicted match-fixer Wilson Raj Perumal.
A ten-page Fifa report revealed that there was evidence of the pair conspiring to manipulate and influence the result of several international matches.
“Fifa is currently looking into the matter and an investigation into alleged match-manipulation in Kenyan football is underway,” a Fifa spokesperson told BBC Sport.
The allegations referred to players who feature for Kenya between 2009-2011, which include a World Cup clash against Tunisia which was won by Tunisia
“Mr Owino … appears to have conspired to manipulate international matches and enter into corrupt agreements with Mr Perumal,” stated Fifa’s preliminary investigation report.
Owino, however, denied being involved in the manipulation of the game. The preliminary report was derived from email exchanges between the pair, dating from June 2009 to March 2011, in the assessment of its preliminary findings.
Perumal said he contacted Owino and two other players in the Kenyan team with instructions relating to the October 2009 game against Tunisia with part of the mail reading.
“Note that if u loose (sic) by 1-0 to Tunisia u will end up with nothing. I want a 3-0 scoreline.”
Owino was allegedly to be hired by an Australian club where he was also supposed to fix.
“The purpose I am gonna bring you there is for business,” Perumal purportedly wrote to Owino in an email dated 27 March 2010.
“But you are to remain loyal to me only… Salary each month 30,000 US. If I say loose (sic) u do as I say. Or else you wont see your salary. DEAL.”
A reply believed from Owino read “Fine no problem cz even me a wnt a good life 4 my family so I will do as u say so. is there trials or is jst direct signin.”
From the emails it was also claimed that Owino admitted to have received some cashg
“Yes, thank u very much n may u b blessed,” one such e-mail reportedly stated.
He has been found guilty of the offences hence the ban.