Benni McCarthy, the head coach of the South African national football team and a prominent figure in African football, recently expressed his deep frustration and disappointment over the ongoing match-fixing scandal involving Kenyan international goalkeeper Patrick Matasi. McCarthy’s comments came in light of recent investigations that have rocked the Kenyan football scene, as Matasi, who has played for Tusker FC, AFC Leopards, and Kenya Police FC, has been accused of conspiring to manipulate matches for financial gain.
During an interview, McCarthy took a firm stance against the betrayal of football’s integrity, emphasizing that the sport is far more than just a profession for those who participate in it. For millions of people around the world, football is a passion, and for a select few, it is a career that allows them to earn a living by doing what they love. McCarthy underscored that only a small percentage of Kenya’s population, which exceeds 50 million people, have the privilege to play the game professionally. He stressed that it is a significant opportunity to earn a living from football, and one that should never be taken for granted.
McCarthy’s disappointment grew as he reflected on the betrayal of this opportunity. “For me, that’s unthinkable,” McCarthy said, condemning players who would engage in gambling on the outcomes of matches and deliberately lose for financial rewards. He described such actions as a betrayal of the entire career a player builds, undermining all the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication involved in reaching the professional level. He added that many people around the world would jump at the chance to be in the shoes of professional footballers, yet some players squander this privilege by engaging in unethical and illegal activities.
The South African coach made it clear that there is no place in football for those who compromise the integrity of the sport. He also emphasized that players like Matasi, who allegedly conspired to fix matches, do not deserve any sympathy. McCarthy expressed his relief that he had never had to work with Matasi or coach him, reinforcing his stance that match-fixing is a stain on the reputation of football that should not be tolerated.
McCarthy further called for strict punishments for those involved in such schemes, not just the players who take part in the manipulation, but also the agents and other individuals who orchestrate these actions. He highlighted the need for stronger regulation to ensure that those who corrupt the game face consequences that reflect the gravity of their actions.
The scandal surrounding Matasi has caused widespread outrage within the Kenyan football community, particularly after a viral video surfaced showing the goalkeeper allegedly conspiring with an agent to fix a match. In the video, Matasi appears to discuss a plan to deliberately concede two goals before halftime, a revelation that has raised serious ethical and legal concerns.
As a result of the allegations, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has provisionally suspended Matasi for 90 days while the investigation continues. The FKF has also enlisted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the matter further, and they have vowed to take strict action against anyone found guilty of match manipulation. The federation has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of football in Kenya and ensuring that the sport remains free from corruption.
McCarthy’s words reflect a growing sentiment across the football world that the integrity of the sport must be preserved at all costs, and that those who betray its values must face the full force of the law. The case involving Matasi serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of match-fixing and the importance of safeguarding the ethical principles that make football a beloved global sport.
