Former Harambee Stars defender George Owino Audi is under probe for allegedly being paid to let lose Harambee Stars matches.
FIFA, world football governing body has already launched investigation into the match fixing scandal that is said to have been conducted in between June 2009 and 2011.
In September 2018, there was 177 email communications between Owino and match fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) says that the two conspired to influence international matches involving Kenya
FIFA says that Owino and other unknown players agreed to play under the orders of the match fixer against the codes of playing football.
Already, details of the 14 matches are in the hands of Fifa Integrity Department, which contacted Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on August 10, 2018 requesting Owino’s contacts. FKF responded 10 days later.
Owino was also alleged by FIFA to have been part of the syndicate to recruit other players and solicit for money from the match fixer.
“I have an offer for you to play in Australia,” read Perumal’s proposal to Owino on March 25, 2010. “You’ve to stay quiet about this. The league starts in August and I will sign you up in June 2010. Stay away from other clubs.”
“Do you want to play for my club? It has to be confidential,” Perumal reiterated a day later, on March 26, 2010.
Owino replied: “Yes, the one you said is in Australia and hope is good for the business.”
Already, Raj has been convicted for prison in Finland and Hungary.
“The purpose I’m going to bring you there is for business, but you have to remain loyal to me only. Remain free. Salary each month is $30,000 (Sh3 million). If I say lose, you do as I say, or else you won’t see your salary.”
In the emails, the two continued to communicate and agreeing their new found business.
“Fine, no problem, because even I want a good life for my family, so I will do as you say.” He then asked for further details about travel to Australia.
“We will sign the takeover of the club by end of this month. You are expected to arrive by the second week of May,” Perumal replied.
In October 11, 2010, Owino seems not to have played according to Raj’s rules probably because he wasn’t paid during the The 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Tunisia
“You’ve to make up your mind if you want money or result,” Perumal warned Owino in advance. “Note that if you lose by 1-0 to Tunisia you will end up with nothing. I want a 3-0 score line. I expect the score to be 2-0 in a normal game, but with your assistance I can get a 3-0 scoreline.”
The email which also addressed other team mates, Julius and Pascal, was also very detailed with payment and playing procedures
“I want you to put a good fight for 25 minutes and concede one goal in first half from 30-45 minutes, another at the 65th minute, and the third in the 80th.”
“F… (expletive) the game and take the money; $25,000 (Sh2.5m) is a lot of money,” Perumal offered on September 17, 2009 via email.
In October 1st, 2009, he wrote to Owino promising him about 7.5 million after the game.
“I understand we have four players. I will send my men with $75, 000 (Sh7.5m) for three of you and $15,000 (Sh1.5m) for the new player. You will get to see the money before the match. You give me what I want in the match and you will collect your money afterwards.”
Two days later, he wrote again to Owino, asking him to give a penalty in exchange of ‘good’ money.
“I am an honest man who would like to see you have enough money to feed your family and send your kids to good school. You give penalty, I pay you $5,000 (Sh500,000).”
Owino replied to Raj the same day, promising to play as per his orders, true to the word, Kenya lost to Tunisia.
“Listen, my friend. We are serious and ready for business. We promise you that we won’t let you down. Trust us because we are there for you, and you for us. Have faith in us. Just send your man.”
In other matches that Owino could not feature, he operated as a match fixing agent and recruited other Kenyan players into the dirty game.
Owino has denied the claims.
“Let’s wait for Fifa to call me over the same then I can speak. For now I do not know anything. I am hearing it from you for the first time,” he said.
10 Facts You Didn’t Know About George Owino
- The 37 year old George Owino was born on born 24 April 1981
- Currently, he is playing for Sofapaka in KPL league.
- In the Kenya National Team, he played a total of 16 games.
- He joined Simba FC in Tanzania after leaving Kenya’s Tusker FC around 2007
- In 2008, he joined Ethiopian League side Saint-George SA
- His ambition to play in Europe came in 2009 when he was invited to train with German club Fortuna Düsseldorf on advice from Antoine Hey
- The deal failed and went back to old club in Ethiopia, Saint-George FC
- He signed for Tanzanian club Young Africans FC on 18 August 2009. In 2010, he left Young Africans FC and came back to Kenya for Sofapaka.
- At club level he scored 12 goals in 142 appearances
- Favorite shirt number 25, position,central defender
