By: Foday Manneh
Twenty-four (24) Upper River Region Third Division clubs have written and signed a petition against the Football Association (URR-FA) for failing to release the investigation report of an alleged match-fixing scandal involving Wagadu Football Club after 114 days since the event.
Wagadu FC was crowned the 2023 URR third division champions before qualifying for the new GFF League 2 season for the second time. They beat Suduwol FC 1-0 in the regional final in July this year.
The final was followed by a WhatsApp audio of a match-fixing conversation alleged to have been held between two individuals — a man who in the audio was interrogating another man — suspected to be the referee that officiated the final, revealing how he accepted to support Wagadu for the triumph.
However, Wagadu made a disclaimer on its Facebook page days later, distancing itself from the accusation and saying it was designed to damage the club’s reputation through “false pretense.”
The URR-FA, on the other hand, announced in July that it would investigate the matter to reach the bottom of the truth.
After four months, with the national leagues on the way already, the 24 club members signed a petition to demand the following from the URR-FA.
1. The Exco Members will release the investigation of the match-fixing scandal.
2. No Regional Third Division if the report is not produced.
3. Ensure there is transparency and accountability in our football management affairs.
4. Ensure the rules of fair play are applied to all clubs during URR-FA competitions
5. The Exco Members should respond within seven (7) days of receipt of the petition.
When contacted, the Secretary General of the URR-FA, Abdourahman Barry, confirmed their office’s receipt of the petition and said, “The scandal report has already been finalized some weeks back and will soon be published.”
