Gor Mahia Slam FKF, Blame Shabana for Violent Clashes at Gusii Stadium

Gor Mahia leadership has pointed the finger of blame at FKF and Shabana FC over the clashes that led to over 70 fans getting injured at Gusii Stadium on Sunday.

Gor Mahia have hit out at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for allowing their match against Shabana FC to be staged at Gusii Stadium following violent clashes witnessed before the game.

Over 70 fans sustained injuries after clashes broke out a few hours to kick off when the two sets of fans reportedly fought over the space that they were allocated to sit in during the high stakes FKF Premier League match.

It took the shine away from a great football match, which was played after a 42-minute delay, with Sylvester Owino’s late header handing Gor Mahia a 1-0 win.

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However, the Gor Mahia Executive Committee feels the situation could have been averted had FKF listened to their pleas to have the match played at a bigger and safer venue.

“It is saddening that despite having registered a legitimate concern with the Leagues and Competitions department of having to play such a High-Risk match at Gusii Stadium, they chose not to intervene, even after the security personnel led by the OCPD Kisii Sub County (Nyaribari Chache Constituency) advised that from their assessment, the prevailing environment was volatile and hence there was need to call off the match,” Gor Mahia said through a strongly-worded statement on Monday.

K’Ogalo then went into details regarding the events leading to the match, saying there had been an agreement to have the game called off, but an FKF official okayed it nonetheless, despite the tense situation on the ground.

“We were completely taken aback when the Match Commissioner, after visiting our bus which was being held outside the stadium next to the VVIP entrance due to the home team’s refusal to open the gate, assured our players and technical bench that the match would not be played given the tense situation,” the Gor Mahia statement further read.

“However, during an urgent meeting involving Gor Mahia and Shabana officials, security agencies, Azam representatives, SSOs, and the Match Commissioner, we were shocked when he reversed his position.

“Despite the OCPD advising against proceeding with the match due to safety concerns, the Commissioner stated he had received instructions from FKF to go ahead at all costs.

“This raises a critical question: how can someone sitting in Nairobi overrule those on the ground who fully understand the risks and realities on site?” Gor Mahia posed.

Gor Mahia then trained their guns on Shabana, who were the home team, claiming Tore Bobe did little to provide enough security and also asserted that the hosts made the situation worse given how their stewards behaved.

“Clearly from the observations witnessed yesterday, where the home team stewards were all over the pitch with batons exposed fully to the glare of all, it is evident that Shabana FC as the home team was in serious violation since it is the responsibility of home clubs to prevent spectators and other unauthorized persons from encroaching on the playing field,” added Gor Mahia.

“Shabana FC also failed to take adequate measures to prevent the throwing of missiles, bottles and other harmful objects on the playing field and the match was stopped five times.

“Gor Mahia Football club therefore calls upon the Football Kenya Federation to take the running of the top league seriously and ensure that the rules and regulations governing Kenyan football are adhered to fully so that such unbecoming behavior is stamped out completely.”

FKF had condemned the incident on Sunday evening, saying decisive action will be taken on those responsible once a full report is received while allaying fears that there were fatalities although they confirmed that 72 people had sustained injuries.