Celebrated Kenyan Referee Aden Marwa, Who Was Set to Officiate FIFA World Cup Matches, Banned from Football for Life

Celebrated Kenyan referee Aden Marwa, who was dropped from the list of those who were set to officiate the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has been handed a life ban from all football activities.

The ban was announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee following a bribery scandal that saw him lose the opportunity of becoming the first Kenyan to officiate a World Cup match.

 “The following decisions were taken by the CAF Disciplinary Board regarding the referees involved: Mr. Marwa Rage, assistant referee (Kenya); life ban from all CAF related football activities," part of CAF disciplinary committee ruling read.

Marwa was captured on camera by an investigative journalist allegedly receiving a bribe of $600 US (Sh60,000) in order to influence the outcome of a match during the 2018  Championship of African Nations (CHAN) held in Morocco.

Marwa had made it to the list of 63 match officials selected to officiate the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia, a task that would have earned him close to Sh3 million.

He had been chosen to officiate the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but was not assigned any match during the event and was looking to make his debut in Russia.

Ten other officials involved in the bribery scandal also received disciplinary measures ranging from between 2 to 10 years ban.