Head of Kazakhstan Football Federation Under Investigation by UEFA

UEFA is investigating Adilet Barmenkulov, the president of the Football Federation of Kazakhstan. In 2022, the businessman succeeded Adilbek Jaxybekov – who had been at the helm of football in Kazakhstan since 2018. “Adilet Barmenkulov is being investigated for knowing about match-fixing and doing nothing about it, suggesting that he had a vested interest in the matches or in favors owed to him by other officials,” Inside The Games reported. Barmenkulov posted a video statement on social media confirming that match-fixing had occurred in the past, but denying that the problem persists. Many prominent figures from the world of soccer have complained, stating that since he knew about it, Barmenkulov is responsible, whether through his actions or inaction.
“I agree that it is difficult to change the structure of a soccer club when past victories were achieved through questionable means,” Barmenkulov said in the video message. He argued, however, that leaders must act systemically rather than locally, and to bring order to soccer in the country it is necessary to act together, not on an ad hoc basis. Clubs must stop trying to bribe referees, he said, and “from now on, I will make corruption in soccer known and public”.
Inside The Games characterized Barmenkulov’s statement as “clearly indicating not only his awareness but also his inaction on the issue of foul play”. Earlier, Barmenkulov had been criticized by Kazakhs for hiring the Russian, Stanislav Cherchesov, as head coach of Kazakhstan’s national soccer team. Sources claim that Cherchesov, the former head coach of the Russian national team, will receive a salary of $1.2 million a year.