Gor Mahia and Shabana FC could face serious sanctions following the chaos that ensued when the two teams met for a Kenya Premier League match at the Gusii stadium on Sunday.
Before the match, there was a stampede at the stadium, which was filled beyond capacity with eager fans, as tensions ahead of the so-called ‘Nyanza derby’ reached fever pitch, resulting in some chaos.
The Football Kenya Federation has since released a statement condemning some unfortunate scenes witnessed at the Gusii Stadium, as the body confirmed investigations were underway to determine what sparked the fracas.
Through the statement signed by FKF President Hussein Mohammed, the Federation confirmed that at least 72 fans had to be rushed to the hospital with injuries from the incident.
“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,” the statement read. The safety and well-being of fans, players and officials remain a top priority for the Federation.
In the build-up to the Sunday game, there were hints that things could go haywire, particularly after the stadium filled up long before kickoff. By 1pm, hundreds of fans were without seats as they continued pouring into the stadium, which was overwhelmed beyond its capacity.
Images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke painted a worrying picture, as fans could be seen at the stands engaging in physical confrontation. It is, however, unclear whether the scuffle was between fans from the same teams or rival supporters.
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.
In their statement, the FKF confirmed investigations were underway amid a collaboration with police.
“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 Federation added.
Critics have argued that Gusii Stadium simply lacked the infrastructure to host a high-stakes match like Gor Mahia versus Shabana — two clubs with famously passionate supporters.
As far as the game is concerned, Gor Mahia emerged victorious thanks to a lone Sylvester Owino goal in the 79th minute. That goal effectively put some daylight between K’ogalo and fourth-placed Shabana, while also keeping Gor’s hopes of clinching the title alive.
Dig Deeper: 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.
