Kokou Fagla has broken his silence following FIFA’s decision to hand him a lifetime ban from all football-related activities for violating Article 11 (Corruption) of the organization’s 2009 Code of Ethics. The former international referee used social media to respond to the sanction, providing his version of events regarding the match at the center of the allegations.
In his statement, Fagla recalled that on May 24, 2010, he officiated a friendly between South Africa and Bulgaria. “I was approached by the organizer who wanted an advantage for the home team,” he wrote, emphasizing the context in which the alleged bribery took place.
While FIFA’s Ethics Chamber concluded that Fagla accepted bribes to manipulate the outcome, the referee strongly denies the accusation. “Fortunately for me, I refused to cooperate, without denouncing the attempted bribery and the perpetrator,” he explained. According to Fagla, his failure to report the bribery attempt is what FIFA considers an offense, which led to his suspension.
Fagla retired from international refereeing earlier this year, concluding his 23-year career with a jubilee match in January. Despite stepping away from the field, he continues to be involved in Togolese football through his role with the Togolese Football Federation (FTF), where he serves as a match commissioner in domestic competitions.
The match in question is part of a broader network of manipulated games orchestrated by Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, one of the most notorious match-fixers in global football. Perumal, convicted multiple times and having served prison sentences in several countries, has been cooperating with authorities in an effort to dismantle his criminal network.
Fagla’s case is not isolated in Togo. Another national figure, coach Banna Tchanilé, has also been sanctioned in relation to Perumal’s activities, receiving a three-year lifetime ban for involvement in match manipulation.
Fagla’s response highlights the complex and often murky nature of match-fixing investigations, where failure to report illicit approaches can itself lead to severe penalties. While FIFA has acted decisively to uphold the integrity of football, the former referee maintains that he never accepted bribes, framing the suspension as a consequence of administrative obligations rather than personal misconduct.
The controversy underscores FIFA’s ongoing struggle to combat corruption in football, as well as the challenges faced by referees and officials caught in networks of manipulation that span multiple countries and competitions.
