Moyale implicates refs in match-fixing claim

Moyale Barracks’ match-fixing allegations levelled against Fifa-accredited referee Anthony Raphael and his assistants have sparked controversy.

The development follows Moyale team manager Victor Phiri’s claims yesterday.

Phiri claimed that Raphael and his assistants Feston Kusekuse and Sifiriano Tebulo demanded a K40 000 (US$108) bribe through Lilongwe-based fellow referee Simon Jovinala prior to their Standard Bank Knockout Trophy quarter-final match, to help them overcome Kamuzu Barracks (KB). KB won the match 1-0.

He claimed that they have phone recordings of a conversation they had with Jovinala who, allegedly, was acting on behalf of the assigned referees and that they made an informal complaint to match commissioner McGovern Mpeni, who was not assigned to that particular match.

“We got a call from Jovinala prior to the match and thereafter, we took up the issue with Mr. Mpeni. To prove the allegations, I returned the referee’s call [in Mpeni’s presence] so that he [referee] could repeat the demands, which he did.

“Mpeni, nevertheless, assured that the issue would be looked into and soon after the game he, in the company of another former referee whom we only identified as Mhone, called us and we again presented the phone conversation as evidence. Further to that, we have lodged a complaint with the National Football Referees Committee (NFRC),” claimed Phiri.

Phiri also claimed to have advised Mpeni to tell referees’ authorities to raise their allowances to avoid match-fixing temptations in future.

“At first, Phiri thought I was the one commissioned for the game and that is why he called me and told me that he had received a call from Jovinala, who claimed to have been acting on behalf of the assigned referees to ask for K40 000 so they could help them (Moyale) win the match.

“He (Phiri) did not produce the recording. Instead, he phoned Jovinala back in our presence after the game and asked him: “Mumati tipereke K40 000 mayimbilidwe ake amene aja? (You were saying the referees were demanding K40 000 for such kind of officiation?).

At that point Jovinala did not respond, but only asked to meet Phiri in person.

“Then I referred the matter to [Verson] Lwanja who was the match commissioner,” said Mpeni.

Lwanja confirmed being informed about the issue by Mpeni, but said Moyale did not raise the issue with him at any point.

When contacted yesterday, Jovinala confirmed meeting Phiri, but denied raising the issue of the bribe.

“It is true, I met Victor [Phiri], but we did not discuss anything pertaining to the game. At that time, I was ferrying the referees to the ground.

“I have known Victor for a long time because we worked together here at the [Kamuzu] Barracks and we were together in Ivory Coast on a peacekeeping mission, but for him to claim that we discussed that issue is untrue and unfortunate. The only time we spoke was after the game and from the background, I could hear that there was a commotion and I asked to meet him later on, that is all I know,” said Jovinala.

He added: “In fact, my general secretary [Kalichelo] phoned me a few hours ago, enquiring about the same issue and I have told him my position. So, if Victor claims that he has phone recordings as evidence, then let him produce it, I am not worried,” said Jovinala.

Raphael said he was not amused by the allegations levelled against him.

“If they have evidence that I or, indeed, us [as a set] demanded a bribe, then they should produce the evidence and give it to relevant authorities; otherwise; I will not take such serious and sensitive allegations lying down.

“I am satisfied with what I earn from officiating local and international games. I cannot sink so low as to demand a K40 000 bribe, I am professional,” said Raphael.

He also said it could be possible that some unscrupulous people wanted to swindle Moyale.

“We get over K30 000 each as allowances for such a game from FAM and even six times more when we are officiating an international game, how then can we be swayed by a mere K40 000 for a set?” Raphael, who is considered one of the best referees on the domestic scene, asked.

He added: “In any case, if they had a query, why did they not raise it during the pre-match meeting. Why now?”

FAM competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka, who said his association will follow the matter to its logical conclusion, warned Moyale that unless they have concrete evidence, stern action will be taken against them.

“We are surprised that Moyale are raising the issue only in the media when they have not  lodged a complaint with us or the referees body,” said Zakazaka.