The growing danger of match-fixing and corruption threatening the sanctity of football was laid bare to southern Africa countries on Saturday at the opening day of a two-day workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The workshop was aimed at highlighting the criminal threat to the game. Malawi’s representatives included Football Association of Malawi (FAM)  chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda and executive member Jaber Alide.
The workshop was jointly organised by the region’s football governing body Cosafa, Fifa and Interpol.
According to a press statement from the Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa), an alarming and growing trend worldwide was highlighted in a frank and open discussion led by Interpol and Fifa.
Fifa’s security director Ralf Mutschke warned that match-fixing scandals had increased dramatically globally.
“The criminals have left their fingerprints everywhere [and] I am afraid the magnitude of the problem is still not being recognised by everyone,” said Mutchke.
He also said there is need to establish ways to protect the integrity of the sport.
South Africa Football Association (Safa) president Kirsten Namatandani said cheating would escalate as the desire for money, power and fame in the game translated into corruption.
