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Sofapaka boss Elly Kalekwa is demanding investigation of assistant referee George Mwangi over claims of bribery after he appeared to deny the 2009 league champions a clear goal in their 2-2 draw against Kariobangi Sharks in Machakos on Saturday.

The match was tied at 2-2 with three minutes to go, when Elly Asieche received a lose ball from Sammy Imbuye before he beat Sharks defender Eric Juma and scoring with a powerful left strike.

Centre referee Raymond Onyango pointed the centre of the field, a gesture that it was a clear goal, just for assistant referee Mwangi to raise his flag and rule that Asieche was off-side.

“This is ridiculous. We spend so much to prepare for a match just to be denied victory by a match official. We are demanding that assistant referee Mwangi be investigated thoroughly and face disciplinary action,” Kalekwa told People Sport.

His remarks come in the backdrop of several complains about the levels of officiating in the top most league.

On Saturday, Gor Mahia’s Lawrence Juma’s strike against Wazito came off the cross bar, bounced way inside the goal before returning into the field of play and the goal was disallowed.

Mathare United coach Salim Ali also feels that KCB were awarded a dubious penalty that saw them score and secure a 1-1draw against the 2008 champions at Kasarani.

“We played really well against KCB, created the better chances and dominated the entire match, just for an official to ruin it for us,” Ali said.

Former head of referees GMT Ottieno who is currently the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Chief of Technical Services, Safety and Security urged Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to be tougher while disciplining guilty match officials in future, to be able to curb the vice.

“I haven’t checked the match reports, but we don’t have powers to discipline the referees. 

After reviewing, we can just give the federation recommendations and they are the ones who discipline them,” said Ottieno.

He added: “Mostly, if found guilty, the referees are mainly silently denied appointments for three to four matches, which I don’t thing is enough punishment. The media should be informed if one is found guilty and stiffer penalties sought.”