Another heated AFC Leopards game, another case of fan trouble.Probably not music to the ears of the Ingwe fan base, but there is no other place, at least in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s Mozzart Bet Cup semi-final pitting AFC Leopards and Kenya Police, to look at.It is reported that the game’s second assistant referee, Samuel Kuria, was struck with a projectile, moments after AFC Leopards player Hassan Beja had been wrongly ruled offside.BREAKING: Kenya Police vs AFC Leopards Mozzart Bet Cup game called offThe reason for the offside flag to go up must have sparked the reaction from the nearby fans, eventually seeing the game abandoned after 60 minutes.Then, Ingwe were trailing 0-1, thanks to Tito Okello’s header in the first half.And while a section of the aggrieved fanbase might go hard on the assistant referee’s “blind box character imitation”, it is hard to look past this year’s Mashemeji Derby, where AFC Leopards fans were accused of “destruction of stadium property.”AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia slapped with massive bills after Mashemeji Derby chaosThe result? A Ksh 505,540 fine, and a club ban from using any Sports Kenya facility.That Sunday’s events happened in another high-stakes fixture – one that holds the team’s ticket to playing continental football next season – doesn’t come as a major surprise.That’s especially the case when you also look back at what happened in last year’s Ingo Derby at Bukhungu Stadium.A host of Ingwe fans stormed the pitch, protesting a missed call that eventually saw the team deducted points, ordered to play behind closed doors, and had a substantial fine imposed on them. Remember that?AFC Leopards docked points, hit with massive fine following Homeboyz game debacleThen, the team was also trailing.Perhaps deja vu, but a cause for concern for the club’s leadership, and a question mark on their fan behavior that shouldn’t be overlooked.In the same breath, however, how could it be that such a key game, with all the makings of huge fan attendance, was played at a fairly small ground like Police Sacco?Arguments could be made about the continued lack of stadiums currently, but some would ask whether the once-fancied Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos ever came into consideration.Word goes around that Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Mamboleo was proposed, but eventually rebuffed.The decision by the Football Kenya Federation to host the game on a ground where officials and players alike, continue to operate under the noses of fans, was definitely a bad call.”VIP” section at Police Stadium. #FootballKE pic.twitter.com/OvU0idvAgn— Mbakaya khwa Milimu (@mbakayamilimu) May 26, 2024 The security of all protagonists – including fans – ought to have come into the choice of venue.Also, in the wake of awful levels of officiating this season, was it shocking that a clear onside decision attracted an offside flag?Very interesting Offside pale Police vs AFC. pic.twitter.com/kaE2vqRHkk— Bree Mo’ngina! (@beebree0) May 27, 2024 Well maybe in an alternate universe that saw zero suspensions on referees for alleged match-fixing, or one that saw players and managers – in the Premier League and NSL – comfortable with decisions emanating from match officials.A persistent “problem” with officiating is wrecking the sport, but who will save it?##NAJAVA_MECA_8123919##
