Two Resign!
Sep 03, 2003
THE pressure for a change in FUFA’s handling of the game intensified yesterday with treasurer Patrick Isiagi and the referees’ boss Aggrey Kibenge being the first two victims.
By Vision Team
THE pressure for a change in FUFA’s handling of the game intensified yesterday with treasurer Patrick Isiagi and the referees’ boss Aggrey Kibenge being the first two victims.
Both resigned.
Even the darling of the soccer governing body, Argentine Pablo Pedro Pasculli, who had been given a second term as Cranes coach, has turned down the offer.
In the aftermath of Villa’s scandalous 22-1 victory over Akol in the league, and the continued allegations of favourable refereeing in Express games, Isiagi, who quit before making a U-turn months ago, finally threw in the towel.
Isiagi disclosed that he is quitting due to the sad state of affairs in FUFA.
“This time I’m not returning because it has gone beyond my expectations. How can a football team score 22 goals if there is no circus? Or how can a team get penalties in every match?†he asked.
“This is total nonsense and unfortunately the bosses are not bothering at all,†said Isiagi in reference to his superiors at Mengo. He said he will support his club KCC FC, which he maintained was stain-free.
“I’m just waiting for the general assembly this month to hand over my resignation letter because those are the people who entrusted me with the office.â€
Earlier, the head of the Federation of Uganda Football Referees Association (FUFRA) Kibenge resigned.
According to the resignation notice dated September 1, Kibenge said he no longer had enough time to fulfil the demands of his post. He works at the ministry of education and sports.
“This is the inevitable option I’m left with. Above all, however, is the personal feeling that at this critical moment in the history of the game, I am constrained from being able to effectively contribute and/or influence its rejuvenation.â€
FUFRA has, of recent, come under heavy attack for allegedly coercing referees into manipulating games.
One such official, Charles Nsereko, who disgraced himself by awarding Express a dubious last-ditch penalty against URA two days ago, has been summoned to the referees’ disciplinary committee.
According to Yusuf Kamulegeya, the vice-chairman of the referees’ appointment committee, Nsereko brought the game into disrepute by his awful display at Wankulukuku.
“It’s the worst refereeing act I’ve ever seen. He has been called to face the disciplinary committee and will not officiate any games till then.â€
Meanwhile, the ongoing probe into corruption and match-fixing in the league yesterday ran into its first obstacle when Express’ Kassim Buyondo refused to testify.
Buyondo blasted the composition of the probe team, saying that the presence of Villa’s secretary, Luyimbazi Mugalu, among others, compromised the team.
“I’ve refused to tender my evidence unless an independent inquiry is set up. When I was being probed for violence, I quit the team to avoid manipulation. Mugalu is implicated for corruption, so he’d also leave.â€
Buyondo is among the leading witnesses in the saga having produced a letter from Akol, claiming that the side which fell to Villa was fake.
Express chief Godfrey Kirumira, Villa’s Omar Mandela and Hakim Magumba have meantime been summoned to appear before the probe team today at Mengo.
Ends
THE pressure for a change in FUFA’s handling of the game intensified yesterday with treasurer Patrick Isiagi and the referees’ boss Aggrey Kibenge being the first two victims.
Both resigned.
Even the darling of the soccer governing body, Argentine Pablo Pedro Pasculli, who had been given a second term as Cranes coach, has turned down the offer.
In the aftermath of Villa’s scandalous 22-1 victory over Akol in the league, and the continued allegations of favourable refereeing in Express games, Isiagi, who quit before making a U-turn months ago, finally threw in the towel.
Isiagi disclosed that he is quitting due to the sad state of affairs in FUFA.
“This time I’m not returning because it has gone beyond my expectations. How can a football team score 22 goals if there is no circus? Or how can a team get penalties in every match?†he asked.
“This is total nonsense and unfortunately the bosses are not bothering at all,†said Isiagi in reference to his superiors at Mengo. He said he will support his club KCC FC, which he maintained was stain-free.
“I’m just waiting for the general assembly this month to hand over my resignation letter because those are the people who entrusted me with the office.â€
Earlier, the head of the Federation of Uganda Football Referees Association (FUFRA) Kibenge resigned.
According to the resignation notice dated September 1, Kibenge said he no longer had enough time to fulfil the demands of his post. He works at the ministry of education and sports.
“This is the inevitable option I’m left with. Above all, however, is the personal feeling that at this critical moment in the history of the game, I am constrained from being able to effectively contribute and/or influence its rejuvenation.â€
FUFRA has, of recent, come under heavy attack for allegedly coercing referees into manipulating games.
One such official, Charles Nsereko, who disgraced himself by awarding Express a dubious last-ditch penalty against URA two days ago, has been summoned to the referees’ disciplinary committee.
According to Yusuf Kamulegeya, the vice-chairman of the referees’ appointment committee, Nsereko brought the game into disrepute by his awful display at Wankulukuku.
“It’s the worst refereeing act I’ve ever seen. He has been called to face the disciplinary committee and will not officiate any games till then.â€
Meanwhile, the ongoing probe into corruption and match-fixing in the league yesterday ran into its first obstacle when Express’ Kassim Buyondo refused to testify.
Buyondo blasted the composition of the probe team, saying that the presence of Villa’s secretary, Luyimbazi Mugalu, among others, compromised the team.
“I’ve refused to tender my evidence unless an independent inquiry is set up. When I was being probed for violence, I quit the team to avoid manipulation. Mugalu is implicated for corruption, so he’d also leave.â€
Buyondo is among the leading witnesses in the saga having produced a letter from Akol, claiming that the side which fell to Villa was fake.
Express chief Godfrey Kirumira, Villa’s Omar Mandela and Hakim Magumba have meantime been summoned to appear before the probe team today at Mengo.
Ends