NAIROBI, Kenya, October 27 – The County Government of Machakos has banned Gor Mahia FC from using its Kenyatta Stadium after a section of their fans turned rowdy during their 3-2 loss to hosts Sofapaka in a top-of-the-table Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash on Sunday.
The County further invoiced the club an estimated Sh10m (USD 111,820) in damages for destroyed Government and private property in a match that was stopped in the last ten minutes after an alleged Gor steward invaded the pitch to attack Sofapaka keeper David Okello.
In a statement released Monday by the County boss Dr Alfred Mutua, police are studying CCtv footage to identify individuals who caused the mayhem before legal action is taken against those found culpable.
“So as to ensure no one is injured or killed after a Gor Mahia or any other football match in Machakos, the County Government of Machakos has banned Gor Mahia Football team from playing in Machakos County Stadium until further notice.”
“In addition, the County is invoicing Gor for an estimated Sh10m as compensation of destroyed County Government and private property. However we can negotiate if they will put a bond between Sh10 to Sh20m as cover in case of any damage,” the statement read.
Gor Secretary General Chris Omondi told Capital Sport they are yet to receive any letter but called on fans not to put the players under undue pressure as the league heads to its penultimate round.
“I have not received any communication from the County Government of Machakos, we will know what to do when we receive an official letter. I urge our fans not to have unnecessary distractions as the league nears to its end, we lost fairly to Sofapaka and it’s a wakeup call to all the stake holders,” Omondi declared.
Meanwhile, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has threatened to take disciplinary action against Gor when the National Executive Committee meets Tuesday to review the latest incident that came barely a week after fans of rival AFC Leopards went on rampage in a cup game against the same Sofapaka side.
“The federation is getting concerned with the trend which is a manifestation that hooliganism is creeping back to our game. FKF will not tolerate this negative image on our game after painstaking efforts to stem out the vice
“Such intolerance as was witnessed in Machakos is unacceptable and have serious consequences and repercussions. FKF will not shy away from meeting out harsh disciplinary measures against those involved in the hooliganism,” FKF declared in a statement signed by Michael Esakwa, the CEO.
FKF ordered AFC Leopards to play behind closed doors for the remainder of the season and slapped them a Sh500,000 (USD 5,590.96) ban, following chaos caused by a section of their fans in their GOtv Shield semi-final against Sofapaka.
