Adilet Barmenkulov, the president of the Kazakh Football Federation, is in hot water, being investigated for knowing about and doing nothing about fixed matches, suggesting that he has or had a vested interest in those matches or in favours owed to him by other officials.

On social media, Barmenkulov made a video statement confirming that fixed matches had taken place, although he clarified that this was in the past and no longer happening. Many football personalities have complained, claiming that he is responsible for what happened, whether by action or inaction, especially as he was aware of it.

As a result, UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has stepped in and opened a case against the president of Kazakh football, who at the very least has allowed corruption to take place in the football he oversees.

"I agree that it is difficult to change the structure of a football club when past victories have been achieved through dubious means," Barmenkulov said in the video.

"Great leaders should not think locally, but globally and systematically. To bring order to football in our country, we need to act together, not one by one. Speaking of corruption, clubs should stop trying to bribe referees," he charged.

In the same video, he went further, saying, "From now on, I will make corruption in football known and public," clearly indicating not only his awareness, but also his inaction on the issue of foul play.

The Kazakh leader appears to have had enough of bribes and shady dealings in his country's football, even threatening to report corruption to the police. "The 23 first division referees do not take bribes because they are well paid by the federation, but if there are traitors, we will take them to the police," he said.

The president's comments cast a dark shadow over professional football in Kazakhstan, or rather confirm what has long been an open secret in Asia. It is not only the president of the Kazakh Football Federation who is tarnished by such a confession, but also the association and the country in general.

In recent times, the Kazakh Football Federation has come under increasing criticism, particularly over the activities and reputation of its president, Barmenkulov. It was recently revealed that the Kazakh Football Federation had won a tender worth over 9 million Kazakh tenge (about 17,500 euros) to train Karaganda football club Shakhter, despite the fact that the club was known to be chaired by Barmenkulov himself (president of the board of directors).

According to an anonymous source from the Kazakhstan Football Federation which has given comments to Inside The Games, two of the biggest football clubs have lodged a complaint with UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee against the head of the Kazakh Football Federation, alleging that the KFF is promoting the interests of one of the many betting companies.

The complaint to UEFA is intended to ensure the independence and freedom of investigation and judgement against Barmenkulov, who would not welcome such allegations in his own country and could be open to some form of retaliation (given his powerful influence, he controls everything from referees to the clubs themselves).

It is telling that the traditional channels within the country, through the Attorney General's Office and through requests to the Anti-Corruption Department, have been used to try to stop such acts, but always to no avail.

An attempt was even made through the presidential channel, but the requests were redirected to the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which stated that the KFF was independent and free to make its own decisions.