TFF cautions referees over betting, corruption

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA Football Federation (TFF) has warned referees that anyone found guilty of match-fixing, corruption or using sports betting to influence matches will be banned from football for life. Addressing a referees’ training seminar, TFF First Vice-president, Athuman Nyamlani, said corruption and sports betting pose a serious threat to the integrity of football and urged match officials to uphold the highest professional standards. “Two diseases are creeping in: betting and corruption,” Nyamlani said.

“Betting while serving as a referee is an injustice. You will be violating the rights of the players, the efforts of the leaders, the investments of sponsors and everyone involved in football.” Nyamlani noted that TFF would not hesitate to impose the toughest sanctions on officials found guilty of manipulating matches. “If we find you, we will ban you for life because those are the current rules.

Do not commit injustices through betting. Betting systems are easily tracked, and you will ruin your career,” he said. Nyamlani also challenged referees to improve performances, saying repeated controversial decisions had damaged public confidence in officiating.

ALSO READ: We must support our referees – Karia He acknowledged that TFF often defends referees after contentious matches but was quick to add that it had become increasingly difficult to justify repeated errors, particularly in matches involving the country’s big clubs, Simba and Young Africans. “Sometimes we use a lot of energy to defend you because we want to see you officiate at AFCON and the World Cup,” he said. “But when the public says ‘enough’, it becomes difficult.

Why do these mistakes always seem to happen in matches involving the big teams, and then you expect people to believe that the errors are simply human?” Nyamlani also criticised officials who openly discuss corrupt practices, warning that such behaviour undermines the reputation of Tanzanian football. He urged referees to uphold professionalism and protect the integrity of the game, saying their decisions directly affect players, clubs, sponsors and supporters. The post TFF cautions referees over betting, corruption appeared first on Daily News.