The world football governing body, FIFA has today suspended Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president Moses Hassim Magogo for two months over his involvement in the resale of 2014 FIFA World Cup tickets in Brazil.
Last month Magogo announced during the Fufa assembly in Adjumani in northern Uganda that he was stepping aside for two months to give FIFA a chance to investigate the matter.
But in a communication released by FIFA today Thursday, Magogo has been suspended for two months and must not get involved in any football matters both locally and internationally and must also pay a fine of Shs 37 million (10,000 Swiss Francs).
According to FIFA, Magogo entered into a plea bargain when he admitted to the crime - the reason he got a lesser sentence.
“In accordance with art. 67 par.1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, the parties have mutually agreed on the following sanctions: a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs and a two-month suspension from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level,” stated the FIFA letter.
Prices for World Cup tickets in Brazil for overseas fans ranged between $90 (about Shs 332,550) for the group games while the opening game cost $220 (about Shs 812,900). The final match cost between $440 (Shs 1.6m) and $990 (Shs 3.6m).
Every national football federation gets an allotment of tickets, based on the number of registered participants (i.e. players, referees, coaches) it has reported to FIFA as well as its annual federation membership fees.
At least 177 tickets were allotted to FUFA but most were resold to football fans in Florida, USA. The investigation into Magogo’s resale of the World Cup tickets was opened on 23 July 2018 after Makindye West member of parliament Allan Ssewanyana reported the matter to FIFA in 2017.
Justus Mugisha, the Fufa vice president is now the acting president as Magogo serves his two-month suspension.