Hooliganism has been the Achilles heel of Kenyan football for quite some time now. And not just in Kenya. Ugly football scenes have been witnessed in other parts of the world. In Kenya for instance, referees have found themselves on the receiving end after making controversial decisions. There have been incidents when referees were beaten and even killed.
Teamkenya.co.ke takes a look at the top four occasions when referees faced the wrath of angry fans.
Gor Mahia Vs Tusker January 2017
During the match where Gor Mahia lost controversially, George Mwangi, a second assistant referee, was attacked by a Gor fan for awarding Tusker a penalty that led to the loss.
The decision from the second referee was not welcomed by the fan for he believed Tusker did not deserve the spot-kick.
The match was called to a stop and Tusker were awarded the points. Mr. Mwangi was not injured and law enforcement officers apprehended the attacker and later prosecuted.
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Ichuni Youth Vs Aspire FC December 2020
John Chang'aa Okwoyo, who was a retired police officer, was officiating the Mashinani football match tournament between Ichuni Youth and Aspire FC as the first assistant referee. There was conflicting information as to what caused the aggression that led to the assault. Kisii County FKF Secretary Evans Mageka noted that the fan had hit the referee for wrongly flagging a foul.
The referee got into an argument with the fan after a player from his favorite team was injured before the two started a physical fight. Then an intruder emerged from among the spectators and hit the referee with a flying kick at the lower abdomen, rendering him unconscious. He (the referee) was rushed to the hospital but succumbed.
Gor Mahia Vs Kakamega Homeboyz December 2021
The center-referee on duty in the match between Gor Mahia and Kakamega Homeboyz, George Mwai, was roughed up by K'Ogalo fans after giving the hosts a penalty.
With the visitors leading by a solitary goal scored in the third minute at Bukhungu Stadium by Peter Lwasa, Joshua Odhiambo brought down Yema Mwana just outside the danger zone. However, Mwai pointed to the penalty spot, and that did not go down well with the supporters of the visiting team.
After the end of the first half, Mwai was roughed up by Gor Mahia fans.
The police in the stadium came to his rescue, and it led to the delay in starting the second half.
AFC Leopards vs Nzoia Sugar November 2019
A section of AFC Leopards attacked referee George Mwai after their team succumbed to a late Nzoia Sugar equalizer in a Premier League game which ended 1-1 at the Kenyatta Stadium – Machakos.
Ingwe was leading until the 94th minute when the visitors leveled.
In the build-up to the goal, the assistant referee signaled a foul on Leopards goalkeeper but the referee overruled him allowing the goal to stand.
This irked the supporters who felt they were denied victory by the center ref and at the end of the game they accosted and attacked him. It took the intervention of the police who used teargas to disperse the rowdy youths and save him.
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