Rachier hails SDT after staying FKF, Sports Kenya orders

Gor had sought stay orders following a Sh.2 million fine and a ban from Moi International Sports Kasarani, imposed after fans trouble and destruction of property at the stadium during the match.

 ‘’We are happy with the stay order from SDT. Our problem was that our right to be heard was violated and we had no option but to move to court,’’ said Rachier.

The chairman says they served the respondents with the orders on Monday December 4, with the mention scheduled for December 13.

The club had initially been ordered to play five consecutive home matches behind closed doors, but Rachier says the stay order has changed the whole scenario.

Rachier says the fans are now free to attend home matches until the case is heard and determined by the SDT.

‘’We are appealing  to our fans to continue gracing our home matches until the case is determined. ‘’.

Rachier has, however said any kind of hooliganism is not in the club’s agenda and has urged fans to exercise  restraint  whenever they feel aggrieved by some officiating decisions.

‘’There are always avenues we can follow to address issues, but I highly doubt our fans were involved in the fracas. We are on with our internal investigations and should any fan be found culpable, necessary action will be taken,’’ added Rachier.

Trouble started when Benson Omalla’s goal was disallowed by the centre referee after he scored from a rebound.

According to Sports Kenya, which is the body charged with managing Government–owned stadiums, a total of 295 seats were destroyed by irate fans after the final whistle.

Electrical panels were also vandalized during the chaos leading to the hefty fine which has now been halted by SDT awaiting the determination of the case.

Gor head coach Jonathan MCKinstry has in the meantime castigated the level of officiating in the KPL.

While pointing an accusing finger at the centre referee who officiated the Gor - Seal match for what he called a denied goal, MCKinstry also said a similar mistake favoured Gor when Omalla scored against Tusker on October 22 at Kasarani.

 The coach says in that instance, the referee should have flagged Omalla offside, saying such blunders remain a thorn in the flesh of teams afflicted.