The referee assigned to officiate the AFC Leopards versus Kakamega Homeboyz match is feared dead after facing the wrath of unruly spectators.
The match was abandoned when Homeboyz was leading 1-0 as unrest erupted among the fans.
The match between started positively, with Homeboyz taking the lead in the 24th minute with a goal by Hillary Otieno, assisted by Eston Esiye from the midfield.
However, the game came to an abrupt halt in the 34th minute when Kakamega Homeboyz goalkeeper, Farouk Shikalo, handled the ball outside the box, and fans of Ingwe demanded that he be shown a red card.
Despite the fans’ demands, the center referee did not send off Shikalo, which angered the Ingwe fans. This led to hundreds of passionate Leopards fans storming the pitch and  gave the referee a thorough beating, resulting in the match being abandoned.
Videos shared on Twitter showed chaotic scenes, with Leopards and Homeboyz players exchanging blows and some fans throwing stones at each other.
Breaking: Referee for Kakamega Homeboyz 🆚 AFC Leopards attacked and chased off the field as match abandoned at Bukhungu Stadium.
The home side was leading 1-0 before the unrest broke out.
🎥: @ojwangjoe pic.twitter.com/R2ZwFWLScL
— Capital FM Kenya (@CapitalFMKenya) April 16, 2023
Kakamega Governor Ferdinand Barasa, who was present at the match, took to Twitter to condemn the incident.
“Football is meant to unite, not create barriers that hinder peaceful co-existence. I condemn the hooliganism witnessed from a section of fans at Bukhungu International Stadium which resulted in the suspension of the match between @AFCLeopards and Kakamega Homeboyz.”
Football is meant to unite, not create barriers that hinder peaceful co-existence. I condemn the hooliganism witnessed from a section of fans at Bukhungu International stadium which resulted to the suspension of a match between @AFCLeopards and Kakamega Homeboyz. pic.twitter.com/N0u85xRxKL
— H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa, OGW (@BarasaFernandes) April 16, 2023
More follows…
No Referee lost his/her life