Members of the Referees Commission of the Congolese football championship have just been suspended by the Congolese Sports Ethics Commission. They are suspected of corruption and fixing championship matches. Originally, an audio put online which ignited the powder.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Fabien Essiane
It all started with a surreal conversation circulating on the networks for a few days and which featured two senior Congolese football officials. “ There’s a million to give you. Cara wants to free the match », Says a voice identified as that of Josep Mianzioukouta, member of the referees commission. “ I am your president », agrees a man who would be Chynel Géo Bango, international referee and designated by the Referees Commission to direct the match between AC Léopard and Cara de Brazzaville. “ You arrive, you see how it goes. You annoy the Leopard guys », continues Mianzioukouta. “ Okay president », Bango continues to agree.
Mianzioukouta in prison
The AC Léopard-Cara meeting takes place in Dolisie. It counts for the 22nd day of the championship which has just ended. The stakes are therefore high because it is apparently a question of favoring AS Otoho then in the fight for the title of champion of Congo.
“ Now, if the Leopard guys threaten you, you stop the match for insecurity. You make your report. Your report will be supported by the president here. It will pass “.
Which president is he talking about? From the referees committee or from Fecofoot? No one knows. And Bango concludes: “ I understand president »
Faced with the seriousness of the facts, Fecofoot dissolved the Referees Commission and brought the matter to the Congolese Sports Ethics Commission. This banned, for 10 months, the seven members of the said referees commission from any sporting activity. First and foremost Josep Mianzioukouta who has been incarcerated in the Brazzaville remand center since Tuesday June 18.
Surprisingly, despite these decisions, the incriminated clubs do not seem to be worried at the moment.