Disciplinary team deducts points from Gor, AFC over hooliganism

The management and stakeholders of Gor Mahia and AFC football clubs have expressed anger over the move by the Kenya premier League Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) to deduct three points from each of the two premier league giants over allegations of hooliganism.

On Thursday, the committee the Kenya Premier League, which runs the competitive top league in the country, to deduct three points from each club after their fans were accused of causing chaos at

The Gor Mahia fans were accused of causing chaos during their match against Tusker FC leading to match stoppage at the 15th minute of play.

On the other hand, the AFC leopard fans were accused of interrupting the team’s match against Ulinzi Stars with 20 minutes to stoppage time after the later club was awarded a penalty following a foul play by an Ingwe player.

Supporters of the two clubs took online to react to the news using the hash tag #Sirkal.

Kennedy Otieno, a K’Ogalo fan wrote: “Someone is trying to help Tusker or Ulinzi to win the league.”

Elvis Obiero, another supporter, wrote: “Sasa we will still cause mayhem mpaka hizo 3 points zirudishwe.

Collo, an Ingwee fan, suggested that AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia should leave the league and come up with their own.

“What would happen if the docking could be done on the last day and let’s assume AFC was just 3 points above the relegations?” Ingwee fan Roy Keke queried.

Citizen Digital spoke to Gor Mahia Secretary General, Ronald Ngala, who said they were dissatisfied with the decision and they will appeal it.

“It is true our fans caused chaos and we, as the leaders, have seen that and for sure it is not fair at all because our match against Tusker went on to the end. We did not expect such a disciplinary action and we will have to appeal,” said a seemingly annoyed Ngala.

“If you can recall the interrupted match between Harambee Stars and Guinea Bissau at Nyayo Stadium, many people said the 1.5 million penalty slapped on Kenya was lenient. Why? Because Kenya did all it could to finish the match.”

He noted that in football, the most important thing is to try and play the match to the stoppage time.

“At the 70th minute when the match stopped, we did not know if fans will cause chaos. We disputed the awarding of the penalty to Tusker but we managed to talk to the match officials to allow it to continue to the end,” added Ngala.

He said that they also managed to calm down the fans who had turned unruly and were threatening to interrupt the match with finality.

Gor Mahia’s goal keeper Bonface Oluoch was also handed a one match ban for insulting the 2nd referee.

Gor Mahia has now dropped to position four in the KPL standing despite moving to the top of the table on Wednesday evening after beating Sofapaka 2-0  in an  entertaining match played in Kisumu.

AFC Leopards, who have also said they will challenge the ruling, are struggling at position 11 after the disciplinary action.

Mathews Oporwa, one of the AFC Leopards co-chairs, also explained his disappointment with the disciplinary committee.

“Sincerely speaking, the verdict was in bad taste. It seem like the federation wants to oppress community clubs,” he said.

The IDCC report read in part: “Gor Mahia FC failed to control its fans and supporters on the 16th April 2016 during a league match, thereby causing disruptions of KPL Match Number 65 and the assault of the 2nd assistant referee following the conclusion of the said match, contrary to Rule 3.4(a) of the Rules of Kenyan Football.”

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