Ntagwabira’s case, a wake-up call for Ferwafa

When news came down that ex-Rayon Sport coach Jean Marie Ntagwabira was temporary suspended from all football related activities over match-fixing allegations, it shocked the local football fraternity, as it was all too unfamiliar.However, if the allegations turn out to be true, it can only be an eye-opener for the national football governing body, Ferwafa that there is match-fixing in local football and that Ntagwabira isn’t alone in this vice. The former APR player and coach shocked the local football fraternity when he admitted to once being involved in match-fixing during his time as coach of SC Kiyovu back in 2009.He confessed during his own press conference, which he called to announce his resignation from his post as Rayon Sport coach two months ago that he bribed opposition players ahead of a league match between Kiyovu and Rayon, which the former won 3-2—he termed it ‘scouting’ on the opponent.With such self betrayal, I kept wondering whether Ntagwabira is a massager to be trusted since his revelations were out of ‘goodwill’ because no one had filed a complaint or pointed an accusing finger.But it also has to be a wake-up call for Ferwafa that indeed something illegal must be going on behind the closed doors of Rwandan club football, and possibly not only match-fixing. “We are going to carry out investigations with everyone involved in this scandal before coming out with a final decision soon,” said Ferwafa’s Chief Executive Officer Michel Gasingwa in reference to the possible punishment for the culprits. The bygoneNow that Ntagwabira is suspended, how long will it take the disciplinary committee to come up with the conclusive report from its so called investigations? Well, it appears as though the Ferwafa people didn’t expect anyone to come up with such allegations and in this case, a confession and for such, weren’t prepared for any eventualities. They just don’t have the rules in place to deal with such damning claims which makes it even harder for them to come up with the appropriate measures in form of punishment for the culprits, who for all the evil in it, go beyond just one person.Ntagwabira’s Wiki-leaks In the wake of his suspension, the 38-year old confronted Ferwafa when he said “I will expose Ferwafa’s incompetence if they maintain my suspension.” I have so many shocking facts that I will pin Ferwafa and I will do it.” If indeed Ntagwabira has his facts, as he says, then a lot must be unfolding behind the curtains within the football governing body to try and come up with a compromise solution for the best interest of everyone involved. The implication is that the former Amavubi Stars assistant coach might be a thorn in the flesh for some people, and if his facts can be verified and found to be true, then it can only fuel speculations on the inner workings of Ferwafa. There is little or no doubt at all that Ntagwabira could be having the facts that can dent Ferwafa’s image having worked closely with them for a long time as a player and coach. It has been over two months since Ferwafa instituted a special committee to look into the coach’s allegations and Gasingwa promised a quick outcome but until now, nothing has been made public.Interestingly, there is a big difference between belief and the hard facts, Ferwafa announced its preliminary ruling, which was to suspend Ntagwabira.However, the former Atraco and Kiyovu coach confessed to bribing players, what is the fate of those players and anyone else, who might have been involve? I won’t be surprised if Ntagwabira is found innocent and his suspension reversed. Ideally, if Ntagwabira was to be found guilty, he would be banned, the club (Kiyovu) punished and the players, who received the money in question also punished accordingly.