FIFA relegates Kenyan club Muhoroni Youth to third tier for match-fixing

NAIROBI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- FIFA on Friday relegated Kenya's former top-flight team Muhoroni Youth FC to the third tier of the domestic league after being found guilty of match-fixing.

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee convicted Muhoroni Youth of "activities related to the manipulation of football matches and competitions," and expelled the club from the second-tier National Super League (NSL).

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed FIFA's decision in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the club will now be relegated to Division One. Meanwhile, FIFA also relegated Vietnamese lower-tier team Phu Tho, which was found guilty of match manipulation, to the third division. Both clubs have the right to appeal.

"FKF fully supports FIFA's decision and reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on match fixing and all forms of manipulation that threaten the integrity of the game," said FKF CEO Harold Ndege.

"The federation will continue to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure that individuals and teams found guilty of engaging in match-fixing face the full consequences of their actions, in accordance with FIFA and FKF regulations," Ndege added.

He further warned that the domestic game was the target of a "full-scale war" against match-fixing.

"We cannot allow this vice to undermine the progress we are making to uplift the game. Anyone found culpable will face the full consequences of their actions," Ngege emphasized.

Before the announcement, Muhoroni was 18th on the league table with 23 points from 27 matches. Founded in 2003, the club was promoted to Kenya's top tier, the Premier League, in 2011, and in 2016, and won its first domestic trophy by lifting the KPL Top 8 knockout tournament.

The team was relegated to the NSL again last year on the final day of the season. During its time in the top flight, the club based in Western Kenya developed a reputation for intimidating visiting teams, officials, and media personnel at its home ground. ■