KPL awards abandoned match to Ulinzi, opens charges against Leopards
By ISAAC SWILA, iswila@ke.nationmedia.comThe Kenyan Premier League’s Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) has awarded Ulinzi Stars their abandoned match against AFC Leopards last Sunday.
The committee has also instituted charges against AFC Leopards for the violent conduct of their fans during the ill-tempered clash at the Mumias Complex.
The crowd trouble forced the match to be called off in the 81st minute when Leopards goons stormed the pitch baying for the blood of match officials.
Leopards are accused of letting their steward confront the centre referee in protest for awarding a penalty kick which led to spectators to throw stones, alcohol bottles and other objects to Ulinzi Stars technical bench.
Ingwe player Eugene Ambulwa is also being probed for an altercation with Ulinzi Stars defender Geoffrey Kokoyo.
In awarding Ulinzi the match, the IDCC ruled: “ AFC Leopards caused the abandonment of the match as indicated in the match officials reports… the match is therefore awarded to Ulinzi Stars FC on a 2-0 basis in accordance to Rule 3.7 Abandoned Matches and 3.8 Forfeited Matches.”
IDCC will hold another hearing on Wednesday where AFC Leopards will be required to respond to the charges.
Gor Mahia have also had charges instituted against them by the disciplinary body.
The charges include Gor Mahia spectators hurling stones, bottles and other objects to the second assistant referee after a penalty was awarded to Tusker in the 70th minute in their 1-0 defeat to Tusker on April 16 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Owing to crowd trouble, the match had to be halted for close to 15 minutes over a disputed penalty which was converted by Tusker’s Humphrey Mieno.
Gor’s custodian Boniface Oluoch is also facing charges for confronting the second assistant referee after the penalty was awarded.
In the ensuing melee, Oluoch shoved the assistant referee and the disciplinary body is flexing its muscles on the wayward behavior.
Gor and Leopards have in the past perpetrated endless acts of hooliganism which the league body and the federation have failed to contain.
(image)