Ntagwabira’s ‘match-fixing’ verdict delayed

NATIONAL football federation, Ferwafa, has postponed the date for passing the verdict on the fate of Amavubi Stars’ assistant coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira over allegations of match-fixing.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

NATIONAL football federation, Ferwafa, has postponed the date for passing the verdict on the fate of Amavubi Stars’ assistant coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira over allegations of match-fixing.The local football governing body temporarily suspended the 45-year old last month after he claimed to have bribed Rayon Sport players to throw a league match during is time as Kiyovu coach in 2009.He was summoned to appear before the federation’s disciplinary committee, which he did and was supposed to appear before the same committee again this week to answer more questions on the alleged match-fixing scandal, but reportedly fell sick before the scheduled meeting.Ntagwabira, who resigned as Rayon Sport coach at the end of last season, shocked the football fraternity when he claimed that he bribed Rayon players through a one Issa Baritonda to under-perform in a league match, which Kiyovu won 3-2.As a result of his allegations, which haven’t been verified, Ferwafa suspended the former APR, Atraco and Kiyovu coach from all football related activities pending further investigation.The federation’s Chief Executive Officer Michel Gasingwa yesterday told Times Sport that Ntagwabira was summoned to answer more questions but responded saying he was sick thereby forcing the delay of the final verdict."We summoned him twice but unfortunately he came here sick, so we told him to come back when he is feeling better. We want to ask him more questions before the disciplinary committee takes the appropriate action,” said Gasingwa.Considered as the most successful coaches in the country, after winning trophies with APR and Atraco, Ntagwabira’s career could be in serious danger if he is found guilty of match-fixing.