The 37-year-old was provisionally suspended from all FKF-sanctioned events and competitions for 90 days on March 27th, following concerns raised by circulating videos suggesting possible match manipulation.
According to FKF, the decision to ban Matasi was made in accordance with Section VII (2) of the FKF Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations (2016). FKF further confirmed that, in collaboration with world governing body FIFA, Confederation of African Football (CAF), and other relevant authorities, they had initiated an official investigation into the matter.
“The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has provisionally suspended goalkeeper Patrick Matasi from all FKF-sanctioned events and competitions for 90 days, following concerns raised by circulating videos suggesting possible match manipulation,” read part of the statement from FKF.
“The decision, made in accordance with Section VII (2) of the FKF Anti-Match Manipulation Regulations (2016), has been formally communicated to Kakamega Homeboyz FC and the player.”
The statement continued: “FKF, in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities, has initiated an official investigation into the matter. The Federation remains committed to upholding integrity in football and ensuring a fair and transparent process for all involved parties. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
Matasi returns to football like he never left
But before the dust could settle, the former Kenya Police FC custodian has successfully managed to obtain a court order overturning FKF’s decision and allowing him to resume football activities. The Court order was issued by a Kakamega High Court on Tuesday, March 8th.
In a ruling delivered by Judge S.N Mbungi of Kakamega High Court in Western Province, Matasi was named the Petitioner while FKF are the Respondents. The ruling halted the decision to ban Matasi, gave FKF 30 days to respond to the petition and set June 4th as the hearing date.
Below is the full Court Order signed by Mbungi as obtained by Flashcore.
"I have seen the application dated 28.3.2025 and the supporting affidavit, I have also seen the affidavit of service sworn by Collins Kigen showing that the Application was duly served upon the Respondent. I have seen a stamp impression on a copy returned after service. Therefore, I am satisfied that the Application was properly served upon the respondent.
"The respondent has not responded to the Application nor attended court. I deem the application to be unopposed. I do issue a conservatory order restraining the Respondent whether by themselves or any person acting on the express orders of the Respondent from acting on the Respondent's communication dated 27.3.25 that suspended the applicant Matasi from all FKF-sanctioned events and competitions pending hearing and determination of the petition.
"The Petitioner to file and serve the main petition to the Respondent, who shall respond to the petition within 30 days from today (Tuesday, March 8th). Mention will be on 4.6.2025 for further direction."
Matasi was dragged into serious allegations of match-fixing following a secretly recorded video that leaked, allegedly showing him negotiating a deal to manipulate the outcome of a match.
The footage, which was secretly recorded from the left back of a seat by another person - though the exact date it was taken still remained unclear - captured Matasi, actively engaged in a conversation on how to manipulate the match in question.
“I repeat again before the boss,” said the person who is engaging Matasi, with the keeper nodding his head back in return in acceptance, "this is the deal, and you know, me, I have never let you down." The unseen person continues with the conversation while Matasi is keenly listening and nodding his head.
“Whatever that will be given to me, I will forward it to you,” added the unseen person with Matasi responding "Okay". “Immediately I forward it to you, I will give you a phone call and the boss will confirm that you have received the message, then this is what we want, that first half to end in draw, I hope that is a deal..." and then the video ends.
Matasi played for Kabrass United, AFC Leopards, Posta Rangers and Tusker before signing a three-year contract with Ethiopian Premier League club Saint George in October 2018. He later returned to Kenya, playing for Tusker and Kenya Police.
After dropping down the pecking orders at Police, he moved to Homeboyz during the just concluded transfer window after penning a two-year contract.
He made his debut for Kenya in 2017 and had played 35 matches before he was dropped by the then coach Engin Firat after Kenya’s 4-1 defeat against Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture.
Matasi’s troubles started last year when former Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat overlooked him for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Zimbabwe and Namibia.
During the Group J fixtures, Kenya drew 1-1 against the Warriors of Zimbabwe and 0-0 against the Brave Warriors of Namibia. Before the two matches, coach Firat had further dropped Matasi from the squad for the two-legged 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying fixture against South Sudan.
Though Kenya have already qualified by virtue of being the co-host, they failed to beat the Brights Stars, who won the first leg 2-0 in Juba before a 1-1 draw in the return leg saw South Sudan win the battle 3-1 on aggregate.
He was recently overlooked by new coach Benni McCarthy as Ian Otieno, who turns out for Richards Bay in South Africa, started in the two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Gambia away and Gabon at home.
