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Former Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team defender Keyeno Thomas and ex-Police FC and San Juan Jabloteh defender Karlon Murray were among eight footballers banned for life today, according to a statement by world governing body, FIFA.
Thomas, 41, and Murray, 34, were given the ultimate sanction today by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee along with Hellings Mwakasungula (Malawi), Ibrahim Kargbo (Sierra Leone), Kudzanai Shaba (Zimbabwe), Seidath Tchomogo (Benin), Leonel Duarte (Cuba) and Mohammed Salim Israfeel Kohistani (Afghanistan).
A ninth player, George Owino Audi of Kenya, was banned for ten years and given a fine of CHF 15,000 (TT$114,000).
FIFA ruled that the players were guilty of match-fixing—or trying to unlawfully influence match results—in violation of article 69.1 of its Disciplinary Code.
The ruling means the guilty players are ‘banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for life.’
Thomas, a giant defender from Point Fortin, made 74 senior international appearances for Trinidad and Tobago between 1998 and 2005—playing alongside the likes of Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy, David Nakhid and Shaka Hislop in a golden era for the local game.
He represented the Colorado Rapids in the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS) as well as San Juan Jabloteh and Joe Public in the local Pro League.
[dfp-ad]Murray never represented the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team but competed at Concacaf Club Championship level with Jabloteh. He has also retired from football and, at present, works as a SRP at E99 in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
The FIFA ruling supposedly followed ‘an extensive investigation into various international matches that Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes.’
Perumal, a Singaporean, was arrested for match fixing in Finland in 2011 and sentenced to two years in prison.
He subsequently wrote an autobiography detailing his shenanigans in which he claimed to fix games during the 2010 World Cup qualifying series and the Atlanta 1996 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as well as friendlies involving teams such as South Africa, Bulgaria, Colombia, Guatemala, Denmark, Brazil and Tanzania.
(Copyright Sportskeeda.com)
FIFA, however, made no high profile convictions and did not give details on the matches whose results Thomas and Murray were accused of having manipulated. The misdeeds seem likely to have occurred during club duty for both players.
Although the charge might shock local football fans, insiders have been aware of allegations of match-fixing in domestic games for years. At present, Pro League players generally receive between TT$2,500 and TT$8,000 a month for their services. However, match-fixers allegedly offer players between US$5,000 (TT$34,000) and US$10,000 (TT$68,000) to manipulate match outcomes.
Wired868 understands that Concacaf investigated more than a dozen Trinidad and Tobago players over the past decade including several international footballers and at least one former World Youth Cup player. During that period, at least two Pro League teams sacked players owing to match-fixing allegations while former National Senior Team head coach Stephen Hart confided to staff members that he was troubled by rumours around two of his players—one was selected for one national tour but not recalled while the other featured more regularly in the squad, although he was sparingly used.
Sport attorney Dr Emir Crowne said he was unaware of whether Trinidad and Tobago had a specific statute on its law books that deals with match-fixing but he felt both players could be punished for fraud.
“It doesn’t seem Trinidad has any specific laws geared towards match fixing,” said Crowne, “but there is no reason why match-fixing type offences couldn’t be prosecuted under existing criminal laws that cover cheating, or fraud, or conspiracy to defraud, or false pretences.
“There is no reason why match-fixing wouldn’t be caught under those existing laws anyway. So it is perfectly prosecutable in Trinidad given the existing structure that we have.”
(Courtesy Wired868)
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, an avid sport fan and former top flight hockey player, gave a qualified ‘no comment’ to the ban on the lawman, on account of his current stand-off with the local media.
“Certain arms of the media have their own agenda politically, based on crime and they have been saying I like the limelight,” Griffith told Wired868. “There is a saying that you must be careful what you ask for because you might get it, so for the Paul Richards and Omatie Lyders and so on out there, I am ‘Stephen Williams-ing’ myself.
“I have been putting my neck out and making myself accessible to the media because I understand the importance of the media; but instead they have been trying to embarrass me and lick me up.
“So I am staying away from the media for the next few weeks.”
Wired868 was unable to reach Thomas or Murray up to the time of publication. FIFA claimed the nine players were notified of their fate today.
Terry Fenwick, a four-time Pro League champion winning coach and former England World Cup defender, said he was stunned to know two of his former Jabloteh players were involved in match-fixing.
“I am very shocked by it,” said Fenwick. “It is something that I have never been party to. And to think that something like that could happen in tiny Trinidad and Tobago…”
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Lasana, do you have knowledge of the 2 national players Hart was worried about re: matching fixing allegations? I never expected 2 T&T players to be involved in matching fixing (though it might be small)
I do know but I don’t think it fair to reveal names as it was not proven. Mind you, match-fixing is very difficult to prove. Unless you can show an exchange of money, even the fact that a player might take a spot kick in stoppage time of a Concacaf Champions League match, put the ball on an opponent’s foot and fall over… The opponent scores in an unguarded net. That player then asks for treatment on the wrong foot before being stretchered off… And then turns up for national training the next day without discomfort in either ankle…
Well, even that proves nothing, although there might have been money on that scoreline. Because without being able to prove collusion or the transfer of money, you have nothing.
What is the status of Pro League Club Licensing that has some of our teams not able to compete in CONCACAF Champions League?
Eko Watts is compliance and audit committee in place yet?
We act as though corruption just happens. Remember that corruption grows in fertile areas – often dark because we don’t see it. We then see it when it emerges by which time the deeds are done! That’s why creating a system of checks and balances and good governance is the only way out
Brian Harry Definitely. That’s why I think temporary administrators need to be put in place with a focus on bringing everything out into the open hopefully before all is lost.
Jo Ann and further our country has a long history of corruption! I still remember being upset by the words of an old energy expat who lived in tt for about 12 yrs. “it’s hard to trust anything trinidadians day. Theres always another story”. I didn’t agree and we debated it. I respected him because I had worked with him in different countries and I know he genuinely cared. Then I moved back to tt to live and work in 2002, and I realized that he was right! I’ve experienced senior ministers, executives, common people always playing the zig zag game. It’s a part of us! To change it requires string structure and plenty guts
There’s no place for corruption in the beautiful game. Imagine a police officer in that!!!
hmmm, that explains why in the final game of the CONCACAF champions league in 2009, Earl Jean came to me before the game and said he got news that a couple of players were planning to sell the game. Maraton needed to win vs Jabloteh, in order to finish in the top two, and oust DC United. We ended up losing 4-2 on the night with some Shambolic defending. Hmmm
Both were on the team?
WOW! This would have serious repercussions on our football if we really don’t find a way to stop this, esp at CONCACAF Club level where big money is invested in those teams. Earl Jean Travis Mulraine can anything be done before rather than after? Cause a loss thru this isn’t reversible for the Club
Kion, Keyeno Thomas was no longer with Jabloteh by then, but Karlon Murray played that entire game.
I confused as to what happened here.
Match fixing ? TTProLeague ?
Next ting yuh hear certain high ranking football officials banned for fixing elections 3 years ago
Also a life ban for 2 retired men ?
Kirwin well they can’t work as coaches or administrators in any FIFA or TTAF recognized league either now.
Lasana Liburd that’s only if their ambitions were there. What if they’re not ?
Then the ban is virtually useless
True. In theory, they could face formal prosecution in their own countries as Crowne said. That’s if their respective governments could be bothered.
Fifa did its bit.
Can they play in Fete matches♂️ asking for a friend.
WHY would your “friend” want a MATCH-FIXER on their team? The man might score an own goal for a case ah carib/Stag just sayin ?
Sherwin Sargeant they can play in fete matches. But no competition that’s recognized by any FA or FIFA.
Brian, let’s put it this way. De last time my team play Sarge’s team, he coulda definitely use ah match fixer. Ent Sherwin? LOL.
?????
makes me wonder? The Warrior teams seem permanently handicapped by lack of adequate preparation, chaotic poor remuneration and overall bad administration.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph!!! Who else knew and when did they know it?!?
I don’t understand why FIFA doh give details on de charges.
Boy….when it rains it pours
Do the crime do the time simple
Wow! Fake hotel room raid, fake police station, now fake football matches. I can’t even fake a laugh.
They ever play overseas? Can’t see what nayional team game was worth “fixing” that they feature in.
Kion you’d be surprised. Even pro league games are covered by betting companies now.
But yes keyeno played many matches of international significance.
Kion S Williams Thomas played in the MLS at one time the other guy i think not sure only played locally