The officials were barred from "taking part in any football-related activity" after being found guilty of irregularities in the selection of Kenyan referees for the 2007 FIFA list of international referees.

 

Daniel Omino, the former general-secretary of Kenya's soccer federation, and Wycliffe Ogutu, former chairman of the Kenya Football Referees' Association, each received five-year bans, FIFA said in a statement.

 

Samson Kawa, the former treasurer of the referees' association, received a two-year ban.

 

FIFA started an investigation after allegations in late 2006 about irregularities concerning the Kenyan nominees.

 

The list of nominees was canceled.

 

"The investigation determined that the Kenya Football Federation had summoned an unusually large number of candidates ... and, against FIFA policy, required them to pay in order to participate," a FIFA tatement said.

 

"Money was allegedly demanded to be included in the final list and some of the final nominees did not meet the technical requirements as stated in the regulations."