Beating up referees will not save Ingwe

It is quite unfortunate that we are slowly gaining a reputation for football hooliganism; joining our noisy neighbours, K’Ogalo who are notorious for causing mayhem.

A section of AFC Leopards fans attacked referee George Mwai after the team succumbed to late a Nzoia Sugar equaliser in a KPL match which ended 1-1 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on January 6.

Ingwe were leading courtesy of a Brian Marita goal until 94th minute when the visitors levelled through Bakari Randy.

In the build up to Randy’s goal, the assistant referee signalled for a foul on Leopards keeper, Eric Ndayishimiye but the referee overruled him allowing the goal to stand.

This irked the supporters who felt they were denied victory by the centre referee and at the end of the game they accosted and attacked him. It took the intervention of the police who lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the goons and save him.

Ingwe moved with speed to suspend their organising secretary, Timothy Lilumbi for his alleged involvement in the fracas pending conclusion of investigations and ruling from the Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDDC).

KPL announced that Lilumbi and several fans were guilty of attacking the referee and instituted disciplinary proceedings against them.

Lilumbi and others Ingwe fans invaded the pitch and assaulted the referee which is contrary to Rule 3.4 (a), 3.5 (b), 3.5 (c), 7.7 (b) and 77 (c) of the rules Governing Kenya Football, and also punishable under art. 49 par. 1.2 & 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

After the Machakos debacle, a young Ingwe fan master Shivachi was injured and is still recovering at Kenyatta National Hospital yet the only crime is a love for the game!

Talking of security, Ingwe stewards who were expected to support the police and other law enforcers, were filmed adding fuel to the fire instead of guarding against such situations! It is unbelievable how these stewards took their responsibility so casually!

Ingwe has no finances to provide professional security and hence rely heavily on the police.

We cannot keep on protecting evil as this will always spoil the beautiful game. How do we expect our game to grow under such circumstances? It is time for offenders to face the full force of the law. It is time for these criminals are arrested and charged.

I am yet to see any forum organised by either Football Kenya Federation (FKF) or Kenya Premier League (KPL) on the need to maintain law and order.

We can’t keep talking about hooliganism year in, year out and I think it is high time FKF and KPL join hands to educate our fans as a way of mitigating the risk of crowd trouble.

How do we expect to succeed in fighting hooliganism if the only language every one speaks is that of punishing clubs?

The two bodies should take initiative and sensitise fans on the importance of peace. Every fan must take responsible of their acts and FKF and KPL should take the lead.

FKF and KPL should set up concrete means of combating football hooliganism and trouble makers should be given stiff prison sentences to deter others.

Finally, as my senior Juma Kwayera puts it…. No pretending! Loyalty doesn’t guarantee results.

The earlier AFC faithful come to terms with the looming relegation of the team the better. Beating up referees, or just blaming them will not save our beloved club from dropping to the National Super League (NSL).

Fans should move from social media, go to the office and ask officials hard questions. It makes no sense to pick rejects and cram the squad with below average players.

We’ve denied talented local players a chance to play for Ingwe in favour of foreigners who can’t make it to the bench. Sad!