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Uganda ban referees after offside goal

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations have banned three match officials after they were found guilty of mishandling a Premier League game between Express FC and defending champions Vipers SC.

The Premier League game played on November 7 at the Mutesa II Stadium ended 1-1, but was mired in controversy.

Express FC scored the first goal through a Tony Odur penalty, while Daniel Sserunkuma missed a penalty for Vipers SC before the break.

Vipers SC needed a late questionable goal through Tito Okello to grab a point, although two of their players appeared to be in an offside position when the goal was scored.

"This is to notify all stakeholders that, upon the advice of the Referees Disciplinary Panel and the FUFA Referees Standing Committee, FUFA has banned three officials of match number 54 of the Uganda Premier League played on November 7th at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku for poor officiation," read a FUFA communication published on Thursday.

According to the decision, referee Ronald Kirangwa has been banned from refereeing any FUFA-organised competitions for three years.

"The 2nd Assistant Referee Samuel Kakembo is banned from performing refereeing services of all FUFA organised and sanctioned Competitions for a period of five years," the communication continued.

1st assistant referee Lydia Nantabo Wanyama has also been banned for 60 days.

"The three match officials have been forwarded to FUFA Committee for Match Integrity for further investigation and decision," the statement concluded.

In May, the Uganda FA set up a commission to investigate matching fixing in the country's top leagues, although the report is yet to be released.