Mashemeji derby embroiled in red card controversy: Should Gor Mahia's Kevin Omondi really have gotten sent off?

Mashemeji derby embroiled in red card controversy: Should Gor Mahia's Kevin Omondi really have gotten sent off?

Mark Kinyanjui 17:50 - 22.04.2024

Gor Mahia keeper Kevin Omondi was sent off for appearing to impede AFC Leopards' Victor Omune having rushed out of his box, but TV replays showed otherwise.

There was a moment of controversy in the 31st minute for the derby clash between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia when their keeper Kevin Omondi was sent off for a foul on Victor Omune when he was through on goal.

Omondi was way off his line and had attempted to rush out to sweep the ball away before Omune could get there, but unfortunately, found himself appearing to impede the AFC Leopards forward, which left referee Peter Kamaku with no choice but to send him off.

However, television replays showed that Omondi never even made contact with Omune, and in any way, it was the AFC Leopards front man that actually stepped on the keeper before tumbling over and rolling like Jack and Jill.

Speaking after the match, Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry was lost for words as to how that was a sending off considering there was minimal contact even as per the replays.

“I think if you are sending off Kevin Omondi, I don’t see how you don’t see the Opiyo one as a foul,” McKinstry told members of the media after the match.

“I personally don’t think Kevin Omondi warrants a red card. I am not sure there was contact because the player has sort of dived over and he has already had the shot, so I do not think the first one is a red card.”

McKinstry believes that AFC Leopards keeper Levis Opiyo should also have been sent off for appearing to also foul Sharrif Musa in the second half, but the replay shows Opiyo actually never made any contact despite his claims.

“However, it has to be balanced. If the first one is a red card, what is the difference with the second one when  Sharrif Musa is through. 

"The fourth official is there telling me he has dived. Why do we have to sub him off cause he is injured?  The goalkeeper has clearly caught him and we have to sub him on in a stretcher and up to that point, he is one of our key players.

“It is clearly a foul, whether you want to say  it is a red card or not. You have to give the AFC keeper a red card. I am not sure it was a foul but if it was, yes you should give us a penalty.”

Gor Mahia went on to win the match 1-0 but  but the controversy surrounding the red card decisions is sure to be a talking point for days to come. 

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