Hassani Mzee of Mombasa United is sandwiched by Zablon Kutera and Eusters Chasara of Sharks during their match on Tuesday/ HANDOUT The chaos surrounding the Kariobangi Sharks-Mombasa United playoff will not delay the start of the SportPesa League on Friday, Football Kenya Federation’s Leagues and Competitions Committee chairman Peter ‘Kaskas’ Chege has said.
Chege said FKF would move swiftly to determine the fate of the abandoned playoff, with the final league berth hanging in the balance, but insisted the dispute would not affect the scheduled start of the new season. “This does not affect the start of the league in any way because the Court gave us the green light to start competition,” Chege said.
The Leagues and Competitions Committee will first scrutinise reports from the two clubs, match officials, security personnel and CAF safety and security officers before summoning representatives of both teams and issuing its ruling.
“We are waiting for reports from the two clubs, the security team, the CAF team and the referees that will help us make a decision,” Chege said. “We shall thereafter summon representatives of the two teams to a meeting and communicate the final decision. That is bound to take place as soon as possible.”
The playoff descended into chaos on Tuesday after referee John Sulwe awarded Mombasa United a penalty in the 65th minute following an offence inside the box. Sharks players surrounded the officials in protest before a section of supporters spilt onto the pitch, forcing stewards and military personnel to form a protective shield around the match officials.
Sharks had fought back to lead 2-1 when the match was halted, leaving the tie level at 3-3 on aggregate after Mombasa United won the first leg 2-1 in Mombasa. The committee will consider reports from the referee, match commissioner, security personnel and CAF safety and security officers as it determines the next course of action.
The ruling could have major consequences for both clubs. Article 3.5.6 of the Rules and Regulations Governing Kenyan Football provides for forfeiture where a club’s members or supporters cause a match to be abandoned.
With Friday’s season opener fast approaching, FKF is under pressure to resolve the dispute quickly, with the verdict set to determine the final SportPesa League berth.
