Stadium ban on Gor fans, Omalla and Co summoned over chaos in SEAL tie

Gor Mahia will play their next five league matches in empty stadia, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) League and Competitions Committee has on Friday afternoon ruled.

The Committee has also fined the club Sh. 0.5 million, and summoned their players - Benson Omalla, Rodgers Ouma, Rooney Onyango and Joshua Onyango over their conduct during their Premier League match against Murang'a SEAL on Saturday at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

Citizen Digital understands Gor's management will appeal against the decision at the Sports Disputes Tribunal, which they say is unfair.

The sanctions come just a day after Sports Kenya slapped Gor with a Sh. 2 million fine over vandalism at the stadium during the match, and banned the Kenyan champions from using the facility until the fine is paid.

Gor Team Manager Victor Nyaoro however says an independent assessment will be needed before they can agree with the basis of the sanctions.

"Unless we do an independent assessment, we can't rush to say if it is unfair or unfair. Our fans have however truly let us down, by engaging in that uncalled for behaviour. Remember last season AFC beat us for the first time in seven years and there were no chaos at Nyayo Stadium, so we need independent investigation to know what really caused this," averred Nyaoro.

Nyaoro also feels club branches have a big role to play if hooliganism is to be stopped, and avoid the pain of unending sanctions.

"Every branch will need to mount their banner at the their respective sections in the stadium, so that if something happens the branch leaders are able to know and descend on the culprits. It is unpalatable for someone roughs up people, some are even forced to go to hospital and the culprit goes home without any penalty, and the club is left with a burden of multiple penalties," an agitated Nyaoro opined.