There are match fixing allegations that are expected to send shockwaves in the StarTimes UPL and Ugandan football at large.
Vipers’ defender Paul Willa and Police FC goalkeeper Hillary Jomi are at the centre of attention after match-day eight game between Vipers and Police FC.
The 2017/18 UPL champions Vipers came from down to overcome a reckless Police FC side at StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo in an entertaining clash on Wednesday.
After the final whistle, Police FC coach Abdallah Mubiru walked to the field of play and confronted Vipers’ Willa.
Mubiru accused Willa, a former Police FC right back, of entering his camp to bribe his goalkeeper Jomi.
The main highlight of the game saw Jomi intentionally letting Willa’s long range effort to cross the goal line for Vipers’ equaliser in the 30th minute.
Hood Kaweesa had headed Police in-front but Halid Lwaliwa and Karim Watambala were on target as the Venoms recorded their fourth victory of the campaign.
Match-fixing allegations have not been given much attention since the past events of SC Villa – Akol scandal, but KCCA coach Mike Hilary Mutebi talked recently confessed of his club having a budget in the past to cater for the referees.
Also, Mbarara last season fired goalkeeper Ali Kimera after the Villa – Mbarara game at Namboole, accusing the goalkeeper of accepting money to concede goals.
Coach Abdallah Blames Poor Officiating
Police FC coach Abdallah was very disappointed with the day’s referees as he claimed that most of the decisions went against his side.
“The problem is that when we talk about referees, we are taken as the bad people. This is my first time to complain and I hope they can change,” started Abdallah in a low tone.
“The referee came biased, it wasn’t easy to identify but technically you could tell by his actions and I think he did much to determine the end result today.”
Abdallah cited various incidents like a denied penalty where his player was brought down in the box but referee waived on.
He also talked about the similar incidents at Wankulukuku where he lost to Express FC.
“Our players were fouled and referee waived on, there was a very genuine penalty claim, and I realised that the referee was biased just few minutes from the start.
“This is my first time to complain about the referees and I hope they can improve. It’s not that they are targeting Police as a team, but its their quality that must be upped. There have been many complaints from many people from other clubs.”
Speaking about the loss and what his side didn’t do right on the day, he explained:
“Luck was not on our side, we failed to convert our chances and then our carelessness at the back, as it was in our last game, cost us again especially the first two goals.
“The way we concede goals is a shame, we haven’t conceded a goal this season when an opponent has made a meaningful build up. Then we have lost many points and we have dug a big hole for ourselves.”
On what is currently going wrong at the club, he commented:
“This stems from the above, it’s one thing that we must sit as a whole club to discuss.”
