Match-fixing fears

Police in Blantyre on Sunday arrested five football officials for allegedly attempting to fix a ThumbsUp Southern Region Football Assocition (SRFA) Premier Division final between Ntopwa FC and Fomo FC.

The game, which Fomo won 4-3 on post-match penalties at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, was also a decider for TNM Super League promotion.

South West Police Headquarters deputy spokesperson Beatrice Mikuwa confirmed the arrests in an interview on Monday, saying the suspects “are expected to appear in court soon to answer a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony”.

She said those arrested were Fomo FC director Mary Woodworth, Blantyre Football Referees Association general secretary Alfred Kaphamtengo, Bangwe All Stars director Mphatso Jika and administrator Willard Banda as well as businessperson Billy Severe.

Said Mikuwa: “After getting a tip off, one of our detectives went on the ground to gather information and found Kaphamtengo, Jika and Woodworth in a meeting at Bangwe All Stars offices in Limbe, Blantyre where the [initial] referee for the match was called for Fomo to pay him to influence the outcome of the match.

“Upon interrogation, they voluntarily agreed that their meeting was indeed to do with the match and we took them into custody.”

She  said the suspects will appear in court once the police finalises investigations, which are at an advanced stage.

Southern Region Football Referees Association chairperson Emmanuel Mlauzi said he was aware of the arrests, but could not comment further.

Initially, a set of referees led by Mayamiko Kanjere was supposed to officiate the ThumbsUp final, but it was changed at the eleventh hour and instead,  Mwayi Msungama was assigned to officiate the match.

This resulted in a commotion as Ntopwa protested the sudden change of the officiating panel.

Later, the match proceeded and Fomo triumphed 4-3 on post-match penalties after the match ended one-all in regulation time.

SRFA chairperson Raphael Humba on Monday refused to comment on the matter.