The Ivorian Football Federation has issued a lifetime ban to referee Brou Eba Serges after he was found guilty of serious misconduct.
The federation said the referee had approached club representatives with offers to influence match results, promising victories in exchange for money or threatening defeats if his demands were not met.
The case was uncovered after officials from Real FC reported the matter. The club’s general secretary alerted authorities, leading to an investigation.
A key piece of evidence was an audio recording submitted to the Central Referees Commission, which confirmed attempted blackmail and left little doubt about the severity of the offences.
Following its findings, the federation took decisive action, banning Brou Eba Serges for life from refereeing and prohibiting him from having any involvement with match officials.
The ruling is seen as a strong statement from football authorities in Ivory Coast, aimed at restoring trust in the game.
By imposing one of the harshest possible sanctions, the federation has signalled its determination to tackle corruption and protect the integrity of football at all levels.
By: Pascal Amoah
