Gor Mahia awarded points to become 2013 KPL champions

By Gilbert Wandera

NAIROBI, KENYA: Gor Mahia are the 2013 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions after they were awarded their abandoned match against Sony Sugar.

The decision by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) appeals committee announced yesterday effectively means that Gor have been declared champions with three matches to go.

Gor now have 56 points and their closest contenders AFC Leopards can only reach 53 points and that is if they win all their remaining matches.

In awarding the abandoned match to Gor Mahia, the appeals committee ruled that Sony were guilty of causing the abandonment.

The committee is chaired by respected Nairobi lawyer Richard Omwela. In its report, the committee pointed out that Sony Sugar coach Zedekiah Otieno and goalkeeper Wycliff Kasaya confronted the first assistant referee in protest at Gor’s second goal.

“This action by the two provoked Gor Mahia fans to pull down the perimeter fence. It is our finding that from the moment the Sony technical bench and goalkeeper rushed to the first assistant to protest the goal, the match never resumed and could not resume even if both teams wanted to play.

“What happened thereafter was a consequence of the initial action and whoever initiated it caused the abandonment and should therefore suffer the consequences and forfeit the game,” said part of the report released by the appeals committee.

The committee further recommends that in future, match commissioners for matches should be independent and firm. It takes issue with GMT Ottienoe who was incharge of this particular fixture for writing a report that falls short of blaming who was responsible for the abandonment.

It further asks, the KPL to consider the safety of players and fans when deciding venue of high pressure matches. “In the interest of the game, such matches should be moved to venues that are suitable no matter what other interests are at stake.

“Safety must come first and in our opinion, it is evident that the venue while suitable was not appropriate for such a pressure game,” said the report.

It also advices both the KPL and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to have a disciplinary mechanism for individuals who write reports that contradict those of the match officials yet they did not have any role to play in a particular fixture.

Contacted later, Richard Omwela who chairs the committee said they will issue appropriate punishment to all those accused in the report of causing the abandonment.

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Chief Executive Jack Oguda said they will abide by the decisions of the committee since they were part and parcel of taking the matter for appeal.

“As it is Gor are the 2013 KPL champions because no other team can reach them. We will make the appropriate preparations to ensure they are awarded the trophy in a manner they wish it to be done,” he said.

Gor beat Sofapaka 1-0 on Wednesday moving to just one point away from winning the 2013 title but this is now irrelevant after being awarded three points.