Gor awarded abandoned match

Gor Mahia stretched their lead at the top of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to nine points over second-placed Sofapaka FC after they were awarded the abandoned match against Sony Sugar in Awendo last week.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Monday “found it prudent to award Gor the match after studying and analysing the facts regarding the match.” The federation concluded that Sony Sugar were the aggressors.

“In view of the stated facts, the federation hereby invokes rules 3.4 (b), 3.5 (c) and 3.8, of Kenya Football (1998) and finds Sony Sugar culpable of causing abandonment of match no.121 and here by direct that the match be awarded to Gor Mahia,” the federation said in a statement signed by Chief Executive Officer, Michael Esakwa.

The federation stated that according to its own investigations, the first assistant referee during the match was assaulted by a Sony Sugar player and officials even though this was not captured in the match commissioner’s report.

FKF said that it will continue monitor and safeguard the integrity of Kenyan football.

KPL had ordered a replay of the match abandoned at the Awendo Green Stadium, even though it could not blame either of the teams for the abandonment as per the referees’ report. Gor Mahia swiftly appealed against this decision.

The match was called off in 85th minute after Sony Sugar players disputed Gor Mahia’s equalizer through defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino.

Owino’s thunderbolt hit the crossbar and bounced in and out of the goal area and was allowed to stand by centre referee Nasur Doka, forcing Sony Sugar fans to invade the pitch protesting at the decision.

It was later agreed that the match could not go on with players’ security at risk after the invasion.

Gor appealed the decision to have the replay arguing that they should instead be awarded the match as Sony were culpable for causing its abandonment.

The new development therefore means that Gor Mahia remain at the top of the league on 43 points. Sofapaka are second on 35 points while Thika United are third, also on 35 points but with an inferior goal difference.

Meanwhile, KKP has ruled that Gor Mahia shall no longer host its home matches at the City Stadium.

HOME MATCHES

KPL rules require clubs to furnish the league secretariat with information on venues for their home matches before the start of each season which Gor Mahia secretary-general George Bwana claims they did.

Bwana said the club settled on their favourite venue, the City Stadium, and informed their KPL secretariat of their choice.

But in a new twist, KPL has reportedly refused to allow Gor to use City Stadium for their home matches.

Bwana, who accuses KPL of unfairness, says they complied with the requirement and could therefore not understand KPL’s change of heart.

“We complied and told them that City Stadium shall be our first choice home ground while our other home venues will be the Nyayo and the Kisumu Municipal Stadium,” he said.

“We don’t understand the change of heart. We feel that there may be other issues which we are not aware of,” Bwana lamented.