Ambani says unbiased officiating can held curb hooliganism in Kenyan football

Wazito FC interim head coach Fred Ambani has suggested poor officiating is one of the factors fueling hooliganism in the Kenyan football.

According to the AFC Leopards great, constant bad calls from referees only serve to trigger fans unrest at stadiums as he called on officials to manage games in a fairer manner.

“You know most of the times it depends on officiating which when is handled carelessly by the man in the middle of the pitch then this will arouse anger in the fans,” Ambani said.

Ambani was however quick to point out that some sections of supporters go to match venues with the sole mission to cause chaos, adding they should face punishment.

“Some fans just leave their houses intent on bringing trouble on others and such should be dealt with. If teams are also be punished by having fan bans and club fines imposed on them then hooliganism will surely reduce,” he stated.

AFC Leopards head of stewards Edwin Ambeyi echoed Ambani’s sentiments by saying that fans should go to stadiums ready for any result rather than just wearing a fixed mindset of winning matches.

“Fans should know that in football it’s either you win, draw or lose matches but we also need to invest in our security as a league through the help and in conjunction with the government,” he said.

Just last month, the Vihiga Bullets vs hosts Gor Mahia match was abandoned after chaos erupted outside MISC Kasarani Stadium with Gor Mahia fans invading the pitch.

In 2014, Leopards and Gor Mahia fans fought while forcing the match to be abandoned at Nyayo National Stadium with police officers on duty being forced to throw tear gas canisters to disperse them.