KPL: Hooligans should be treated as criminals, say pundits

Namulanda

Kolongolo FC Chairman Kizito Namulanda and former Gor Mahia Secretary General George Bwana feel hooliganism should be treated as normal crime.

This follows the acts of hooliganism and vandalism that were witnessed during last Sunday’s ill-tempered Kenyan Premier League clash between Gor Mahia and Sofapaka at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, where scores of people were left injured and property worth millions of shillings destroyed.

With hooliganism on the rise, Namulanda has faulted Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for being lenient on the two propagators (AFC and Gor) saying stringent measures must be taken to curb vice.

“Those causing trouble at football matches are not real supporters of the game. And we are losing the point when we treat hooliganism like football problem. This is a normal crime and it’s everything to do with national security. We must introduce legislative measures to control it,” said Namulanda.

“FKF has been too lenient with these clubs. Instead of ordering them to play in empty stadiums and slapping fines, FKF should dock them points. That’s the only punishment that will hurt both the club and the fans.

“Unfortunately, since the two incidents happened, no arrest has been made and no one has ever been charged with hooliganism-related crimes in Kenya. The police should take it as a security issue and arrest hooligans.”

His sentiments were echoed by the former Gor official, who partly blamed the police for using excessive force. “Hooliganism is a crime by itself. Football is a game. The perpetrators of violence should be charged in a court. Up to now no arrest has been made after the Machakos skirmishes, but the county government has come up with a damages invoice,” said Bwana.

“In our set-up, the police come to the stadium to watch and disperse the crowd with teargas, they never control it. I think the Government should also treat football as a private function and heighten security whenever there is a match.”