CAF fines Kenya Ksh1m for Guinea Bissau fracas

Kenya has been fined USD10000 (Ksh 1,004,030.00) by Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the fracas that broke out during the 2017 AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau.

The continental governing body posted the decision on their website cafonline.com on Monday with the country getting a slap in the wrist following the shameful chaos that marred their March 27 clash at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

The country was charged with offences of “Kenya players severely contesting, supporters throwing stones and police had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.”

Besides the fine, CAF delivered a “warning regarding the security measures in CAF matches. In case a similar incident occurs, team may play on neutral ground/without spectators or at a different stadium.”

The decision was one of the many made by the CAF Disciplinary Board at its sitting on Monday, 18 April 2016, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ugly scenes unfolded at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium  on Sunday when visiting Guinea Bissau scored a late controversial goal in a 1-0 victory against Harambee Stars that confirmed elimination from the Gabon 2017 AFCON in a game that was halted by the officials for over half an hour following the shameful chaos that broke out.

The visitors were on course to complete the double over Stars when a disputed Mendes Suares strike on the 81st minutes sparked carnage as the home team bitterly protested its awarding and after a few minutes, police were forced to fire tear gas as stones and other crude missiles rained from the stands.

That forced the game to be held up and apart from another dispiriting exit from the biennial continental championship.

Security forces surrounded both sets of players on the pitch and volleys of tear gas canisters were fired by police as disillusioned home supporters turned unruly and started engaging the officers in running battles inside the stands and just outside as they poured out to the streets.

Stars had themselves to blame for wasting a bucket-load of chances to win by a comfortable margin before all hell broke loose when the visitors went ahead in dramatic fashion with a classic smash and grab goal.

It all started when captain and Southampton FC midfield star, Victor Wanyama gave away the ball needlessly to Fatty Junior whose resultant shot was cleared for a corner.

The ball was then swung in from the left and found its way to far post where Mendes fired in but Norway based keeper, Arnold Origi punched it out, vehemently claiming it did not cross the line. Television replays suggested the keeper, who was booked for his protests was wrong.