Kazakhstan Football Federation probes referee bribery claims in Premier League

September 14, 2026 at 01:24 PM2 min

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The Kazakhstan Football Federation is investigating allegations that a referee received 10 million tenge after a Premier League match. Several referees have undergone polygraph tests, and one has been indefinitely suspended. The federation has not disclosed the referee's name or the match involved.

Key Facts

The Kazakhstan Football Federation is investigating possible attempts by club representatives to improperly influence referees for competitive advantage.
A referee is suspected of receiving 10 million tenge after a match in the 17th round of the Kazakhstan Premier League.
Several referees have already undergone polygraph tests as part of the investigation.
One referee has been indefinitely suspended from competitions following an internal review.
The federation has not disclosed the referee's name, the specific match, or the club allegedly involved in the payment.

Investigation Details

The Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF) announced it has information about possible attempts by football club representatives to improperly influence referees to gain a competitive advantage. According to ASnews.kz, referees answered questions from KFF security and integrity service representatives. Polygraph testing is planned to continue, and individual referees may be banned from officiating matches based on the results. The KFF did not specify the amount of the alleged payment or the circumstances of its transfer in its official statement.

Suspected Referee Payment

The investigation centers on a referee suspected of receiving 10 million tenge after one of the games in the 17th round of the Kazakhstan Premier League. The referee's name, the specific match, and the club that may have been involved in the money transfer have not been officially disclosed. One referee has already been indefinitely suspended from competitions following an internal review, though the federation also did not name this individual.

Ongoing Review

The federation continues to verify information about pressure on referees, money offers, and other forms of interference in match results. If violations are confirmed, the materials may be transferred to competent state authorities.