Gor Mahia forward Jacques Tuyisenge shielded by a steward after chaos erupted in their match against Tusker FC. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 26 -The Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) has ordered the Kenyan Premier League to deduct three points from Gor Mahia as punishment for crowd trouble caused by their fans in their league match against Tusker FC on April 16 at Nyayo National Stadium.
IDCC has also handed a one match ban to Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch for assaulting the second assistant referee in the troubled match won 1-0 by Tusker.
In its ruling, the disciplinary body stated, “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.”
The match was stopped for close to 10 minutes after Gor fans reacted violently to a penalty awarded to Tusker.
The committee further said “It is concerned that the misconduct of the fans and supporters of Gor Mahia FC, which has led to the stoppage and abandonment of KPL matches and formed the subject of numerous IDCC hearings and determinations, is undermining the reputation and growth of the KPL.”
“We are not satisfied that Gor Mahia FC is treating the matter of managing its fans and supporters with the urgency and seriousness that it deserves. Deterrent measures are therefore required,” IDCC further stated.
“Clubs and their fans must respect the rules governing football. Rule 7.3 of the Rules of Kenyan Football states that the decisions made by the referee or assistant referee on the Laws of the Game during a match are final. Further, Law 5 of the Laws of the Game states, among other things, that the decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.”
The docking of points consequently means that Gor, who stormed the summit of the SportPesa Premier League table on Wednesday, will drop back to second position on 26 points.
-additional material from official KPL website-
