War on hooliganism: Gor Mahia fined, to play season enders behind closed doors

Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia and Sofapaka have been fined Sh500,000 and Sh300,000 respectively for Sunday’s fracas that marred their ill-tempered clash at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
K’Ogalo has also been ordered to play its remaining two league matches against Muhoroni Youth and Ushuru FC behind closed doors.

The resolution were made by the football administration after a day-long meeting by the body’s National Executive Committee on Tuesday.

As the home team, the football body said that Sofapaka failed to provide adequate security for the high octane match thus violating article -3.5of the rules of Kenyan Football.

(READ: Sofapaka floors Gor Mahia)

The football body has also tasked Gor Mahia to reveal the identity of the steward/fan who attacked Sofapaka’s goalkeeper David Okello for further action to be taken against him.

However in a quick rejoinder, Gor Mahia's secretary general Chris Omondi cried foul saying they will challenge the ruling.

“We shall appeal this decision. I think they have not considered a lot of facts. We were the away team, it was a high- octane match and it was risky to take the match there. We will be meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) after which we will make our stand known,” Mr Omondi said.

On his part, Sofapaka boss Elly Kalekwa said that they will comply.

“They have their own parameters through which they have arrived at the decision. As a host club, we did our part and if that’s the decision they have made we shall obey. We are law abiding and will comply,” Mr Kalekwa said

The order to play behind closed door will hit Gor Mahia hard.

With no sponsors, the league giants have been operating on a shoe string budget and gate collection have come in handy in settling players bonuses as well as running the day to day actives of the club.

In their remaining matches, Gor Mahia will play away to Muhoroni Youth this Saturday in Kisumu, before its home tie against Ushuru FC at the Nairobi City Stadium.

At the same time, the football administration has reversed the decision by Kenyan Premier to award Tusker the abandoned match against Muhoroni Youth.