Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned Nigerian Referee Joseph Ogabor for one year following his involvement in attempted match-manipulation.

The CAF Referees Committee on 28 April 2018, confirmed the recommendation of the CAF Disciplinary Board to suspend Ogabor from any official mission for attempted match manipulation with respect to the Total CAF Confederation Cup 1/16th round first leg between Plateau United (Nigeria) and USM Alger (Algeria) played on 7 April 2018 in Lagos.

The decision follows investigations conducted and evidence submitted by the South African match officials of the said match, who were contacted by Joseph Ogabor to provide “technical assistance” to the Nigerian team.

After the match South African media allege that one of its referees, Victor Gomes rejected a USD30,000 (about N10.8 million) bribe to influence the match. According to report, the match officials led by Gomes, they were approached before the game with the offer of the said amount about (R362‚822) to fix the result‚ but immediately turned down the approach and reported the matter to CAF.

Also, Plateau United was cautioned to refrain from the practice of hospitality gifts which tend to create wrong impression.

In a related development, the South African Football Association have been ordered to render an apology to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after investigations proved there was no evidence of whatsoever of any official of the NFF regarding an allegation of US$30,000 bribe.
https://pageone.ng/2018/04/29/caf-bans-ref-joseph-ogabor/