Harambee Stars likely to play against Zambia in empty stadium as FKF faces fresh charges
During Sunday's match, hundreds of football fans broke barriers to enter the stadium yet they claimed to be having tickets
Social-ecommerce platform, Moohk Africa, has suspended ticket sales for the ongoing 2024 CHAN competition after a security breach was reported at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani during Sunday’s match between Harambee Stars and Morocco’s Atlas Lions match.
Moohk Africa, the official ticketing platform for CHAN 2024, said the suspension will remain in place until further notice from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“After the security breach in Kasarani yesterday, ticket sales for Kasarani games have been suspended until further notice from the organisers,” IT stated.
During the match, hundreds of Kenyan football fans broke barriers to enter the stadium yet they claimed to be having tickets while others forcefully entered through one of the gates as security guards helplessly watched.
The supporters, who were dressed in jerseys chanted as made their way inside before being stopped. They later claimed they were turned away after being told their tickets had already been scanned, a problem believed to stem from individuals buying tickets in bulk and reselling counterfeit copies to unsuspecting buyers.
This has resulted in the online sale of genuine tickets ending several days before match days involving Harambee Stars.
On match days, a thriving resale market operates outside Kasarani, with rogue vendors openly selling passes.
Official ticket prices are Sh200 for regular, Sh500 for VIP, and Sh1,000 for VVIP, each valid for a single match during the month-long tournament.
Victims have reported paying between Sh300 and Sh1,000 for fake tickets.
Due to the frustrations, some supporters resorted to jumping over the perimeter fence to enter the stadium illegally during Harambee Stars’ opening match against DR Congo’s Leopards last Sunday.
Despite a heavy security presence, several managed to breach the venue, causing a near stampede. Other breaches included fans igniting fires inside the stadium, denial of access to the VVIP for CAF staff and protocol officers by State Security, including a member of South African President’s Close Security Unit.
A Falcon Private Security guard also allegedly assaulted a CAF commercial staff member and a sponsor representative.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was subsequently fined Sh2.5 million (US$15,000) for various breaches during the first matches held at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums.
While CAF suspended payment of Sh3 million (US$2,500) fine for crowd trouble on condition similar breaches do not recur during the remainder of the tournament, FKF is now set to pay and even face harsher sanctions for the latest violations.
One of them could see Harambee Stars play in an empty stadium in their last game against Zambia’s Chipolopolo.
