AFC Leopards chairman, Dr. Dan Shikanda, has condemned the assault on the referee during their match against Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium which saw the match abandoned in the 30th minute after crowd trouble marred the encounter.The referee was allegedly attacked by fans after failing to act in an instance where Homeboyz goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo handled the ball outside the box. It was after that decision that the fans started chanting in the fully packed stadium leading to a section of the fans throwing stones at the linesman.Things went berserk when the linesman responded by throwing the stones back at the visibly agitated crowd.##NAJAVA_MECA_7180192##Attempts by police to calm the situation were futile as they were overpowered and the match was subsequently stopped with Kakamega Homeboyz leading by a solitary goal.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the Chairman strongly condemned the attack, calling for increased security in future matches.”We are playing a league that has rules and regulations. You cannot expect eight policemen to police about eight to ten thousand spectators that was our first setback.Homeboyz – Ingwe tie abandoned over crowd troubleI urge our league organizers to take care of small integrities that we discussed, for example we are hosting a league match, the match cannot kickoff without match commissioner seeing commanders of two GSU platoons and the leader of twenty uniformed policemen, am surprised we played a derby against Homeboyz there were less than ten uniformed policemen, they just came to spectate and watch the match, they were not on duty,” he urged.Hellen Obiri picks first ever marathon win as she conquers BostonDespite that, the former AFC Leopards player called for the integrity of match officials, saying that the rules are clear as mud.For instance, Shikanda cited that when a goalkeeper handles the ball outside the box, it is an immediate red card, contrary to what the referee did.“In any football match fair play is paramount. The integrity of the referee has to be seen by all. If not fair somehow near fair. The rules are clear when a goalkeeper handles the ball outside the ball that’s a red card. That’s what irritated the fans to take matters into their hands which I condemn so much. It was also very unfortunate for the linesman to pick stones on the pitch and throw them back to the crowd, and that’s when the crowd became hostile and descended onto the pitch,” Dr Shikanda told Mozzart Sport.AFC Leopards will play against KCB in the next league match while Homeboyz will lock horns with Vihiga Bullets.
