Hooliganism: Gor charged, Leopards docked points

Hooliganism reared its ugly head in the country’s top flight in successive weekends with rioting K’Ogalo fans causing a stoppage of over 15 minutes when Tusker were awarded a late penalty they converted to win the game.

Barely a week later, their Ingwe rivals forced their game against the soldiers to end 10 minutes from full time when the referee awarded Ulinzi a spot-kick with the tie locked at 1-1 with irate supporters roughing up the officials in both incidents.

“The charges include Gor Mahia spectators throwing stones, bottles and other objects to the Second Assistant Referee after a penalty was awarded to Tusker in the 70th minute; Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch confronting the Second Assistant Referee after the penalty was awarded; and after the final whistle a Gor Mahia spectator entering the field of play and assaulting the Assistant Referee in front of Gor Mahia stewards,” the statement added.

The IDCC hearing will be held on Thursday with the club summoned to respond to the charges.

At the same time, Ulinzi FC’s website claimed they have been awarded the three points and a 2-0 win after the game was abandoned when Leopards supporters invaded the pitch.

“Ulinzi Stars have been handed three points from the abandoned match against AFC Leopards last Saturday. In a letter to the club and copied to Leopards, the league governing body has given the team a 2-0 win.

“The game was called off in the 81^st minute after a section of AFC supporters threw projectiles into the pitch after Ulinzi were awarded a legitimate penalty, thus making the match officials call off the match,” the military side’s website wrote also on Monday.

“AFC Leopards SC caused the abandonment of the match as indicated in the Match Officials reports and in accordance with Rule 3.4 Responsibilities of Clubs (b) Abandoned Matches the match is therefore awarded to Ulinzi Stars FC on a 2-0 basis in accordance to Rule 3.7 Abandoned Matches and 3.8 Forfeited Matches;” the club added.

However, the decision is yet to reflect on the official SPL standings by the time of going to press with Leopards still third on 18 points, two off the summit but KPL chief executive, Jack Oguda, confirmed indeed the match has been awarded to the soldiers.

The two teams will meet again on Sunday during the quarter final of the KPL Top 8 tournament.