FKF Hand Gor Mahia Title Advantage After Verdict on Abandoned Nairobi United Clash

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has delivered its ruling on the abandoned FKF Premier League match between Nairobi United and Gor Mahia in December.

The clash pitting Naibos against K’Ogalo was not played to a conclusion following incidents of fan violence between both sets of supporters.

The game was called off in the 58th minute when tied 1-1 after crowd unrest in the stands with both sets of fans engaging in fist fights while objects were thrown onto the pitch at Dandora Stadium on December 21.

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A number of fans were injured with unconfirmed reports claiming some loss of life with police using teargas canisters to disperse the rowdy crowd.

The referee decided to call off the match for the safety of players and fans with the matter referred to the FKF’s Disciplinary Committee. However, it is the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee that has delivered a ruling.

“The Committee ruled that the match was abandoned due to force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances),” the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee said in its ruling.

“In accordance with the FKF Rules and Regulations, the result at the time of abandonment has been upheld as a 1–1 draw. Matters relating to misconduct during the match have been referred to the FKF Disciplinary Committee for further action where applicable.”

That means both sides will be awarded a point each from the match and it remains to be seen if the FKF Disciplinary Committee will slap the two clubs with any sanctions following the ugly incident.

It effectively takes Gor Mahia’s tally to 37 points from 18 games, one ahead of second-placed AFC Leopards, having been tied on 36 after last weekend’s round of matches, while Nairobi United will move to ninth place on 25 points from 16 games.

Meanwhile, Murang’a Seal have been awarded three points from their match against Ulinzi Stars after the soldiers walked off the pitch in protest of what they termed ‘unfair’ officiating at Ulinzi Complex.

Ulinzi scored first through Paul Odhiambo but Joe Waithira drew Murang’a Seal level midway through the first half via a penalty and he would score what he thought was his team’s winner in stoppage time but their opponents protested, claiming there was a handball in the build-up and that they had been denied a penalty of their own.

Ulinzi walked off the pitch and when they did not resume play, the referee called off the match.