Retired FIFA referee David Gikonyo has cautioned against the growing tendency to label every refereeing mistake in Kenyan football as match fixingDownload our Mozzart Sport app for more newsHe warned that such accusations are damaging the image of the game, undermining the credibility of officials and potentially discouraging investment in the sport.Gikonyo, who spent 18 and a half years officiating in the Kenyan Premier League before becoming a CAF Match Commissioner, acknowledged that match fixing remains a serious problem in football worldwide, but stressed that genuine human errors by referees should not automatically be interpreted as deliberate attempts to manipulate matches.##NAJAVA_MECA_9889453##Speaking during an interview with SportyFM Kenya, Gikonyo said the debate around refereeing in Kenya had become increasingly difficult because almost every controversial decision is now viewed through the lens of match manipulation, even when there is no evidence to suggest wrongdoing.“Today we have turned every referee's mistake into match fixing,” said the second-tier match commissioner, arguing that such accusations risk creating a damaging perception of Kenyan football and its officials.He recalled an incident from a Kenyan Premier League match between Sofapaka and Sony at City Stadium to demonstrate how an innocent mistake can quickly be interpreted as evidence of manipulationGor Mahia secure defensive reinforcement from Kakamega HomeboyzHe explained that he failed to notice an assistant referee who had been obscured by the corner flag and consequently blew his whistle for offside when a Sony player appeared to be through on goal.“I blew the whistle for an offside innocently,” he recalled, explaining that Sony players immediately protested before he realised that he had made a mistake, apologised and allowed the match to continue.Gikonyo said he later discovered that the incident had been interpreted by some people as evidence that he had deliberately influenced the match, despite the decision having resulted from a genuine error rather than an attempt to favour either side.“That is why there are times when we say our referees are fixing matches, yet that is not the case,” he saidTACTICAL ANALYSIS: Aboubacar Doumbia and the inverted full-back blueprint at Tusker FC that might rock the FKFPLHe believes the growth of social media has made the situation worse because controversial decisions can now generate accusations of corruption and match fixing within minutes, often before anyone has had an opportunity to properly review the incident or establish whether there was any deliberate wrongdoing.Gikonyo said the consequences extend beyond individual referees because repeated allegations of match fixing can damage the reputation of the entire Kenyan league and create an unfavourable environment for potential investors who may question the integrity of competitions.“We are tainting the image of the league, so how will an investor come where matches have been fixed?” he posed, stressing that the fight against match fixing should be based on investigations and evidence rather than assumptions arising from individual refereeing mistakes.While defending referees against unfounded accusations, Gikonyo maintained that Kenya must not ignore genuine concerns over match manipulation and instead needs stronger structures capable of receiving intelligence, conducting investigations and producing evidence that can be acted upon.Kenya’s road to three youth AFCONs takes shapeHe proposed the establishment of a dedicated department responsible for dealing with match fixing and manipulation, and brought together investigators, data analysts and education officers who would be able to examine suspicious patterns and pursue cases beyond initial allegations.According to Gikonyo, football authorities sometimes receive information suggesting that a particular match has been manipulated, but the major challenge is determining how to move from that initial intelligence to a proper investigation and eventually establish evidence that can confirm or disprove the allegations.“The question is how we move from information to investigation and then to evidence,” he said, and called for a more structured approach to dealing with suspected cases of manipulation.##NAJAVA_MECA_9889542##He also called for anti-match fixing education to begin at academy level, arguing that young players, referees and clubs need to understand the dangers and consequences of manipulation before they reach professional football, particularly because financial difficulties can make individuals more vulnerable to approaches from those seeking to influence matches.Gikonyo revealed that FIFA has invested in training programmes focused on match fixing and match manipulation, adding that he had personally attended one such programme in the United States and was scheduled to undertake further training in France and Zurich as part of continued efforts to strengthen knowledge around the issue.The former referee also reflected on the difficult environment in which match officials operate, noting that criticism has traditionally been a major part of refereeing and has increasingly moved from the stands and stadiums to social media platforms.He recalled a period when referees faced the possibility of physical attacks after matches, saying the nature of the hostility has changed over time but remains a major challenge for officials who are expected to make split-second decisions under intense pressure.Harambee Stars midfielder features as Yanga lift community shieldOne of the most difficult experiences of his career came during a Gor Mahia versus Mathare United match at Nyayo National Stadium, where Mathare secured a 2-1 victory before he and his officiating team were targeted with stones as they attempted to leave the pitch.The officials were forced to remain at the centre of the field for about an hour as they waited for security reinforcement, eventually leaving the stadium through Gate Seven after the situation had been brought under control.Gikonyo said the hostility followed a late penalty appeal by Gor supporters, although he remained convinced that the decision not to award the penalty was correct, with subsequent footage supporting his assessment.##NAJAVA_MECA_9889861##