Baraza cries foul as Tusker coach Kimanzi says they are not to blame for fielding 12th player

Muhoroni Youth coach Francis Baraza reacts during a past KPL match. [PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Kenyan Premier League side Muhoroni Youth coach Francis Baraza has described the fielding of 12 players during their match against Tusker on Sunday as a very sensitive issue.

Speaking to Feverpitch at the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium last Sunday after the abandoned premier fixture against Tusker, Baraza urged KPL and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to follow the law in the anticipated arbitration of the matter.

Baraza said during the second-half of the match, he was notified by his assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo that Tusker FC had fielded 12 players, a move that is against conventional Fifa soccer rules.

 

FIELDED 12 PLAYERS

“We hope the concerned parties will follow the right rules to give a verdict on the incident. Our hawk-eyed technical bench led by my assistant coach Odhiambo realised the anomaly after counting Tusker players thrice and confirmed they were 12 players on the pitch,” Baraza said.

Baraza said following the extra fielding, Muhoroni Youth players declined to continue with the match which was later abandoned.

Muhoroni Youth chairman Moses Adagala said they have given the KPL and FKF officials to make a ruling on the matter or else they would abandon their subsequent league matches.

Tusker head coach Francis Kimanzi said the referee Andrew Juma acted in a confused manner resulting in the abandonment of the match over the twelfth player issue.

 

MATCH ABANDONED

“It was me who brought the issue to the attention of the central referee and tried to guide him over the anomaly but instead he was confused and his actions led to the abandonment of the match,” said Kimanzi.

The Tusker tactician absolved his side from blame, pointing out that during the match they had duly filled the match forms stipulating the players who would start the fixture, including their substitutes.

“The refereeing officials had in their possession the valid instruments and forms of the match to notice any anomaly in advance which they failed to do, ending in the confusion witnessed during the fixture,” he added.

Earlier, Chemelil Sugar beat Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 2-1 at the same venue. Chemelil Sugar dominated the match with their dazzling play and well-coordinated passes.

KCB staged occasional dangerous forays within the Chemelil Sugar backyard but a rock-solid millers defence stood firm.


 

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