PCCB calls for joint action to fight corruption in football

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Director General of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Crispin Chalamila, has called for stronger cooperation among football stakeholders to curb corruption and protect the integrity of the sport in Tanzania.

Speaking on Monday in Dar es Salaam at a stakeholders’ workshop on tackling corruption in football, Chalamila said corruption remains a major threat that could undermine progress made in the game.

He said the PCCB’s mandate covers prevention, public education and investigations, with prevention relying heavily on collaboration with key stakeholders.

“In carrying out our preventive role, we focus on educating the public, working closely with stakeholders and identifying loopholes so we can seal them together,” he said.

Chalamila noted that the bureau has begun early engagement with football stakeholders through meetings aimed at addressing corruption risks and promoting fairness, transparency and genuine competition in the sport.

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He said Tanzanian football has grown significantly in recent years due to increased investment from businesspeople, companies and other partners, attracting players from across Africa. However, he warned that these gains could be threatened if corruption and match-fixing are not addressed.

He said stakeholders including club officials, referees, journalists, betting companies, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the National Sports Council (NSC) must work together to tackle the problem.

The Mainland Premier League Board Chairperson Nassor Idrissa said corruption in football is a global challenge that requires collective action. He noted that corruption is difficult to detect and requires strong evidence and proper investigation before action is taken.

“Corruption should not lead to rushed accusations. It is a sensitive issue that affects reputations and must be handled through thorough investigations by the relevant authorities,” he said.

Idrissa added that the fight against corruption is not the responsibility of one body alone, but of all stakeholders in the game, including clubs, officials, journalists and governing institutions.