Caf has banned Nigerian referee Joseph Odey Ogabor from “any official mission for one year” after he was found guilty of an attempted match manipulation in the 2018 Confederation Cup.
A couple of weeks ago, news broke that South African referee Victor Gomes had rejected a $30,000 bribe to fix the play-off round first leg clash between Plateau United of Nigeria and USM Alger from Algeria played on 7 April 2018 in Lagos.
Reports from Gomes home country, South Africa had pointed out the bribe offer had come from the Nigeria Football Federation officials.
But investigations have concluded that it was referee Ogabor who contacted the South African match officials to provide “technical assistance” to the Nigerian team.
A Caf statement Sunday announcing Ogabor’s suspension also warned Nigerian club Plataea United to “refrain from the practice of hospitality gifts which tend to create the wrong impression.”
Full statement below:
“The Caf Referees Committee on 28 April 2018, has confirmed the recommendation of the Caf Disciplinary Board to ban Nigeria referee Joseph Ogabor from any official mission for one year for attempted match manipulation with respect to the Total Caf Confederation Cup 1/16th round first leg between Plateau United (Nigeria) and USM Alger (Algeria) played on 7 April 2018 in Lagos.
“The decision follows investigations conducted and evidence submitted by the South African match officials of the said match, who were contacted by Ogabor to provide “technical assistance” to the Nigerian team.
“Also, Plateau United was cautioned to refrain from the practice of hospitality gifts which tend to create wrong impression.
“In a related development, the South African Football Association have been ordered to render an apology to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after investigations proved there was no evidence of whatsoever of any official of the NFF regarding an allegation of US$30,000 bribe.
