Former Sofapaka FC midfielder Feni Ali has been handed a lifetime ban from all football-related activities after being found guilty of coordinating match-fixing in Ugandan football.The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Ethics and Disciplinary Committee found Ali culpable of orchestrating match manipulation by acting as an intermediary between players and match-fixers in several matches, including the Uganda Premier League fixture between Lugazi FC and Buhimba United Saints FC played on 8 November, 2025.##NAJAVA_MECA_9778323##According to FUFA, Ali, who previously featured for SC Villa, URA FC, Proline FC, Wakiso Giants FC and Kyetume FC, contacted players and linked them to match-fixers with the intention of influencing match outcomes.“Ali Feni, former player, banned for life from all football-related activities after being found to have coordinated match-fixing in several matches, including Lugazi FC vs Buhimba United Saints FC, by acting as an intermediary between players and match-fixers,” read part of FUFA’s statement.The investigation centred on the Uganda Premier League match between Lugazi FC and Buhimba United Saints FC, which Lugazi won 5-2.Inside Kiminini Premier League's rise from improvised friendlies to structured competitionFormer Gor Mahia FC, Tusker FC, Bandari FC and Nairobi City Stars left-back Fred Nkata was among those heavily sanctioned after being found guilty of involvement in the manipulation of the match. Nkata, who was playing for Buhimba United Saints FC at the time, received a five-year ban from all football-related activities.His teammate Moses Ayebale was also handed a five-year suspension, while fellow player Ramadhan Dudu received a two-year ban.Buhimba United Saints FC Technical Director James Kalumba was not spared either, receiving a five-year ban after the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee found him guilty of breaching Articles 43 and 44 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code relating to match manipulation.FUFA confirmed that all sanctions took effect immediately after the affected individuals were formally notified of the committee's decisions.Harambee Starlets coach accuses Tanzanian side of repeated failure to release players for international dutyThe latest punishments are part of FUFA’s ongoing efforts to combat match-fixing and safeguard the integrity of football in Uganda.The federation has intensified its fight against match manipulation in recent years, with several players, club officials and referees already serving lengthy suspensions.Earlier this year, FIFA extended worldwide bans imposed on former Express FC head coach Mike Mutyaba, former Express FC Chief Executive Officer Miiro Ashraf Mwanje, goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa and former club captain Ashraf Mbazira for their involvement in the manipulation of a 2024 league match against Kitara FC.Six lessons learned from FKF Premier League Matchweek 34Other Ugandan football figures currently serving FIFA-recognised sanctions include former Calvary FC player Saleh Maganda, former Northern Gateway FC player Franco Oringa and former Gaddafi FC players Godfrey Lwesibawa, Yahaya Mahad Kakooza and Andrew Waiswa, all of whom are serving five-year bans.Referees George Nkurunziza and Deogracious Opio are also serving 10-year suspensions for match-fixing-related offences.FUFA reiterated that the sanctions underline its commitment to protecting the credibility of competitions, although all affected parties retain the right to appeal in accordance with the applicable football regulations.Court battle leaves FKF relegation-playoff fate hanging in the balance
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