National Division One League side Zoo FC have been docked three points, slapped with a Ksh300,000 fine and ordered to play their next five home matches behind closed doors following incidents of violence witnessed last week during their promotion playoff against Nairobi United.
The match, played at the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology, had multiple incidents of violence, leading to an assault on a journalist who was roughed up by irate fans who tore his clothes and demanded the he deletes some of the photos he had taken.
With Nairobi United leading 1-0 courtesy of Brian Lusamukhwa’s 75th minute goal, trouble started when Zoo fans invaded the pitch, demanding more time added on after the fourth official had indicated an extra five minutes.
It led to clashes with the fans attacking match officials, forcing centre referee Meshack Omondo to call off the match in the 90th minute.
All this while, Nation photographer John Njoroge was capturing the incidents and it is when the fans attacked him, while demanding that he deletes the photos. The ugly incident was made by widespread condemnation with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) promising to take action.
“The FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee, having considered the submissions of Zoo FC and Nairobi United and the match officials report, has made the following ruling regarding the FKF National Super League promotion playoff (Zoo vs Nairobi United) which was abandoned in the 85th minute due to crowd trouble,” said FKF in a statement.
“That the 2023 FKF National Super League Promotion Playoff be awarded to Nairobi United on a three (3) points-two (2) goals basis. That Zoo FC be docked three (3) points from those already accumulated in their 2022/23 league season.
“That Zoo FC be docked three (3) points from their 2023/24 season’s tally. That Zoo FC is to pay a fine of KES 300,000. That Zoo FC plays its next five home matches behind closed doors.”
It is a slap on the wrist somewhat for Zoo FC given the gravity of the matter although FKF’s mandate is limited to just sanctions.
Njoroge has since reported the matter at Nakuru Central Police Station for further investigations.
“My camera was totally damaged and now it cannot work properly because it has lost its focus,” Njoroge said after reporting the incident, as quoted by Nation.
“Because of the confrontation, is suffered bodily harm and this resulted from protecting my camera that they were targeting to take away. Some of the security officers did not bother to intervene. Only three of them came to my rescue when things started getting out of hand,” he added.
It is not the first time Zoo are finding themselves in trouble. In April 2021, they were relegated to the third tier by FIFA over match fixing and in June this year, they were handed a Ksh6 million fine for failing to comply with the world football governing body’s directives.
