FKF life ban for coach who beat up ref at match

PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | FILE Former Harambee Stars head coach Mohammed Kheri. Kheri was slapped with a one-year ban for participating and abetting in attacking the match officials.

What you need to know:

  • Kajembe was found guilty of grievously assaulting referee Martine Wekesa during a FKF Divison One match between his club and rivals Admiral at Tudor Day on Saturday
  • Sparki coach and former Harambee Stars tactician Mohammed Kheri was slapped with a one-year ban together with three of the club players – Kelvin Odhiambo, Ali Khamis and Rama Izungu – for participating and abetting in attacking the match officials
  • FKF also docked Sparki six league points and ordered them to foot all the medical expenses that will be incurred by the injured official

Football Kenya Federation on Wednesday meted out the harshest possible punishment in sport, banning Sparki Youth assistant coach Daudi Kajembe from all football activity for life.

Kajembe was found guilty of grievously assaulting referee Martine Wekesa during a FKF Divison One match between his club and rivals Admiral at Tudor Day on Saturday.

Sparki coach and former Harambee Stars tactician Mohammed Kheri was slapped with a one-year ban together with three of the club players – Kelvin Odhiambo, Ali Khamis and Rama Izungu – for participating and abetting in attacking the match officials.

FKF also docked Sparki six league points and ordered them to foot all the medical expenses that will be incurred by the injured official.

They were also ordered to play their home matches at Mbaraki Sports ground for security reasons.

FKF acting secretary-general Lordvick Aduda yesterday said violence was unacceptable in football, particularly when it was directed at officials.

Aduda said Wekesa suffered serious injury that required hospitalisation.

The matter has since been reported to the Police.

The local Coast derby involving the two traditional rivals, was abandoned two minutes before time following the brawl. Admiral were leading 1-0.

Trouble started in the 88th minute when Wekesa flashed a second yellow card to Sparki striker Tobias Baraza. As the referee was about to show the player the red card, mayhem ensued following a pitch invasion.

Admiral, who scored in the 62nd minute, lost Mohammed Khalid in the 73rd minute for a second bookable offence.