Dan Shikanda pleads with FKF to review punitive decision meted on AFC Leopards

FKFPL Dan Shikanda pleads with FKF to review punitive decision meted on AFC Leopards

Festus Chuma 16:00 - 20.04.2023

Ingwe blamed Kakamge Homeboyz for failing to provide adequate security

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has asked Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competitions Committee to reconsider the punishment meted out on the team for last Sunday's botched match against Kakamega Homeboyz.

The matchday twenty-five clash between Ingwe and Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium on April 26 was abandoned due to crowd trouble minutes after Hillary Otieno had given Homeboyz the lead.

https://twitter.com/FcHomeboyz/status/1648678086534217728?s=20

After reviewing the match, FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee docked three points from Leopards, awarded the match to Homeboyz on a three-point, two-goal basis, fined the club 500,000 and ordered them to play their next four league matches behind closed doors.

"We express our deep disappointment and concern over the unfair decision of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competitions Committee regarding the match between Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards," reads the statement read by Shikanda during a press-conference on Thursday.

"We presented compiling evidence to highlight the inadequate security measures and poor officiating that marred the match. We also raised c concerns regarding match commissioner decisions.

"However, it is disappointing to note that the competitions committee disregarded the presentation, and the decision should have taken into account the inadequate security and poor officiating that significantly impacted the outcome of the match.

"Furthermore we are unaware of any evidence or presentations that Kakamega Homeboyz made to the competition committee.

"The lack of transparency further undermines the fairness of the decisions made. As a football club we have always insisted on fair play and sportsmanship.

"We urge the FKF to review and reconsider the decision considering our evidence and concerns about inadequate security and biased match commissioners' report."

The match between the two archrivals was abandoned in the 34th minute after Leopards fans stormed the pitch after centre referee Michael Obuya turned down their calls that Homeboyz goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo be red-carded for handling the ball outside the box.

 Police officers tried to calm the situation by lobbing teargas to avert a bruising battle involving stone-throwing and insults from both sides. 

The three-points deduction left AFC Leopards at position seven of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League standings with 37 points from 35 matches.