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AFC Leopards SC have once again fallen in hot soup due to crowd trouble following the stringent sanctions meted on the club yesterday by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF)-Leagues and Competitions Committee after the dramatic fan unrest last weekend at Bukhungu Stadium during their match against Kakamega Homeboyz, which left the centre referee with serious injuries.

The Ingwe faithful stormed into the pitch mid- way in first half as they trailed the hosts by a goal. The incident captured and shared widely on social media saw fans scale through the walls and gates before they attacked centre referee Michael Obuya for allegedly not booking or sending off the home team goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo for apparently handling the ball outside his line.

The fans also bemoaned the general “favoritism” on Homeboyz by the whistle-man whom they felt was favouring the home side.

For the chaos that also left several fans injured, FKF, through a statement after considering submission from both teams and match-day officials, struck hard with consequences that are likely to put the 12-time champions in serious problems. A letter sent to media houses,  undersigned by CEO Barry Otieno, has seen the federation award the abandoned match to Kakamega Homeboyz and AFC Leopards also docked an additional three points from the already accumulated points. This would effectively drop them two places in log to eighth spot on 37 points.

“The FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee having considered the submissions of Kakamega Homeboyz FC, AFC Leopards and the match officials report, has made the following ruling regarding the FKF PL a match no.222 (Kakamega Homeboyz FC vs AFC Leopards SC), which was abandoned in the 31st minute due to crowd trouble,” read part of the Statement.

In its deliberations, the committee decided that: “That the FKF-PL Round 25 match no.222 be awarded to Kakamega Homeboyz on a three points-two goals basis; That AFC Leopards SC be docked a further three points from the already accumulated points; That AFC Leopards SC shall cater or refund for incurred medical costs by the Center Referee Michael Obuya.”

Additionally in the decision report, it was also put across that: “AFC Leopards SC shall play their next four (4) home FKF-PL matches behind closed doors. The club shall ensure this is adhered to; That AFC Leopards SC to pay a fine of Sh 500,000 and That disciplinary proceedings be opened by the FKF Disciplinary Committee on Patrick Aussems and Lawrence Webo for their conduct in the said match.”

The affected parties have already been served with a detailed ruling of the matter with all eyes on how the Ingwe Management will react. AFC Leopards SC has gotten in bad books before with the Authorities for failure to honor the Mashemeji Derby alongside Gor Mahia in their no-show in the biggest game of the land two years ago on June 31 where both clubs were docked three points apiece. They have also faced a couple of fines as well for crowd troubles over the last decade as well.