Interpol investigates Ugandan football match fixing claims

Officials from the Interpol head office in France are set to arrive here to investigate claims that some of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier games were fixed.

Asan Kasingye, an Assistant Inspector General of Police who is also the Director of Interpol and International Relations in Uganda said Thursday that they have taken the matter seriously, reports Xinhua.

In November last year the Uganda FA president, Moses Magogo said because of public outcry and allegations involving Uganda's 0-2 loss to Guinea in the last 2015 Afcon qualifier, they decided to hand the matter to the police to investigate.

Magogo said considering that match fixing is one of the cardinal offences in football, they decided to engage the police to utilise its expertise, facilities and the law to investigate the entire campaign.

He said the federation received reports of fans attacking different players for allegedly fixing the match result against Guinea. Uganda who needed only a draw to Guinea in November also had skipper Andrew Mwesigwa sent-off.

Kasingye said that although the FA has been adamant on giving information about this matter, his office has managed to get lots of information on the subject.

"It is surprising that some of the information is for cases that took place many years ago within the football circles," the director said.

Kasingye said since Interpol has a partnership with FIFA to fight match fixing, they are not taking this matter lightly.

"These experts from Lyon will come to Uganda in the next few weeks and speak to a number of people as they carry out investigations," he added.