Rayon Sports is allowed to progress in the Confederation Cup Competition CC 2018 in view of the fact that there was no material evidence relating to the direct involvement of the transgression by their suspended officials, as supported in their correspondence but a financial sanction of US$15,000 will be imposed on the club Rayon Sports as a result of the violation of the CAF Code and Statutes by the officials.
Early this month, CAF opened match fixing allegations on Rayon Sports Fc who had defeated Lydia Ludic 1-0 in the return leg to proceed to the first round before they were eventually knocked out by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns to drop to the Confederations Cup play-off.
The CAF’s Disciplinary Committee composed of South Africa’s Raymond Hack (Chairman), Yassin Osmake of Djibouti (Vice Chairman) and Issa Sama of Burkina Faso (Member) met on March 25 to discuss the matter in question in a meeting which was held in Cairo. Both Rayon Sports Fc and Lydia Ludic were invited to attend the meeting but Rayon Sports Fc didn’t attend despite having confirmed in writing that they would attend while Lydia Ludic was represented by their honorary president Aimable Habimana, as it is written on Rwanda FA website.
CAF was informed that there might be some allegations of match fixing after being notified on the match eve, visiting team officials were found in the fourth official’s room no. 501 and some others were in the corridor leading to the rooms, when confronted by home team officials, the tried to run away and Police were called and the visiting team officials were detained. The commissioner intervened and made his own investigations and observed the clips of CCTV of the hotel and then the match took place as scheduled.
As a result of the above, CAF then decided to open investigations and requested all parties inclusive of the officials to provide the necessary comments, observations and submissions to the allegations.
All parties submitted a written report which were examined and interrogated by the Disciplinary Board, inclusive of copies of the passports and identity cards of the Rwandan officials (Rayon Sports Fc) mentioned in the various reports as involved, namely; Rukundo Patrick, Mudaheranwa Shaffy, Nkusi jean Paul and Muhirwa Prosper. The Burundian guide mentioned in the reports was identified as Mpundu Eloge.
After deliberating at length on all aspects of the matter, and having taken into account the provisions contained in articles 82,83, 136 of the Disciplinary Code, as well as the CAF statutes, the Board decided on the following sanctions;
1. Rukundo Patrick, Mudaheranwa Shaffy, Nkusi Jean Paul and Muhirwa Prosper be suspended from performing all and any football activities for a period of two (2) years.
2. That a financial sanction of US$15,000 be imposed on the club Rayon Sports as a result of the violation of the CAF Code and Statutes by the officials.
3. That Rayon Sports would be allowed to progress in the Confederation Cup Competition CC 2018 in view of the fact that there was no material evidence relating to the direct involvement of the transgression by the above mentioned officials, as supported in their correspondence. However, it is noted that Rayon Sports conceded that their officials had violated the Code and statutes of CAF, as well as the Spirit of the Game, but submitted that the said officials had not been mandated by the club in any manner whatsoever.
4.Furthermore, the Board recommended that the Burundi official referred to, namely Mpundu Eloge,also be suspended from all football activities for a period of one (1) year by virtue of his involvement with the Rwandan officials referred to above and furthermore his failure to report the relevant incident to his club.
CAF further added that the decision be contested before the CAF Appeals Board by any party. Any party intending to appeal shallannounce its intention in writing within three (3) days of notification of the decision.
The Express News
