FKF condemns violence at Shabana vs Gor Mahia match, says investigations are on
A video on social media showed a tense situation as the stadium, which was filled to the brim, with fans engaging in physical confrontations
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has condemned the violence witnessed after the Gor Mahia vs Shabana match at the Gusii Stadium.
In their statement, FKF condemned the unfortunate scenes witnessed, where one person was reported dead and several were injured in the stampede.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed stated that Football should unite people and not risk their lives.
“FKF strongly condemns all forms of force in our stadiums. Football must remain a sport that brings people together, not one that puts lives at risk,” he said.
The President confirmed the death of one person as he indicated that at least 72 were treated for the injuries they sustained at the Kisii Referral Hospital before being discharged.
The federation added that investigations are underway by the relevant authorities to establish the cause of the unrest during the match dubbed ‘Nyanza derby’.
“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances that led to the unrest. Decisive disciplinary action will be taken upon conclusion of ongoing investigations,” the FKF president stated.
A video on social media showed a tense situation as the stadium, which was filled to the brim, with fans engaging in physical confrontations, although it is not clear whether the scuffle was started by fans of the rival teams.
At one point, the chaos descended onto the pitch moments before players emerged for the warm-up, with some fans spotted hurling projectiles towards the stands.
Football critics say the Gusii Stadium could not hold the Nyanza derby match as the two clubs have many passionate supporters.
The game ended with the defending Kenya Premier League champions winning one-nil against Shabana.
If either Gor Mahia or Shabana fans are found guilty of misconduct during the game, the supporters’ respective clubs could face some serious ramifications, including potential stadium bans.
Depending on the severity of the disciplinary issue, the potential punishments can range from fines to stadium bans or partial closures for the club to legal action against individuals involved in the mayhem.
In Gor Mahia and Shabana’s case, there is a high likelihood of travel bans, especially for away matches for one or both sides, depending on the findings from the investigations.
