Gor, AFC ordered to play next matches in empty stadium

AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia have been ordered to play their next Kenyan Premier League home match in an empty stadium by the league’s Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee.
The punishment arises from the troubled league match between the two arch-rivals held on May 12 at Nyayo Stadium that was halted for several minutes following violent skirmishes between their fans.
The clubs have also been handed a suspended fine of Sh1 million each that will be paid to the KPL upon determination that either club has failed to control its supporters as required by the rules of the league.
Trouble erupted in the match in the 73rd minute after Gor Mahia scored and both sets of fans engaged each other in a brawl and stone throwing forcing police to
fire teargas canisters onto the stands. The game was stopped for several minutes.
While the home team was Leopards, IDCC observed that it was the responsibility of both teams in a fixture to manage the conduct of their fans.
“Rule 3.4(a) of the Rules of Kenyan Football
makes clubs responsible for the conduct of their members and supporters, irrespective of whoever is organizing the matches in which the clubs are participating. Similarly, a club is responsible for the conduct of its members and supporters irrespective of whether it is the home team or the away team,” IDCC said in its ruling.
“AFC Leopards SC and Gor Mahia FC failed to control their supporters, who as a result caused the stoppage of the match for five minutes,” the ruling further said.
The disciplinary body said deterrent measures were required to help stamp out violence in the league. -KPL