In Kenya, Patillah Omoto and Erastus Chesare, Kariobangi Sharks players, have been arrested in the case of the assault on referee John Sulwe; the club is relegated to the National Super League by forfeit.
Nairobi police have arrested Patillah Omoto and Erastus Chesare, two Kariobangi Sharks players, in connection with the assault on referee John Sulwe, according to Nation Kenya, cited by UA.News. The events date back to 6 October, at the Ulinzi sports complex, during the second leg between the Sharks and Mombasa United.
The decision to prosecute the two men was taken by Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, according to the same source. On the pitch, this second leg was meant to decide which team would be promoted to the Kenyan Premier League and which would be relegated to the National Super League. It stopped before its conclusion.
A penalty, then the violence
Mombasa United went into this second leg with an advantage: a 2-1 win at home in the first leg. Late in the second half, with the Sharks leading 2-1 and the aggregate score at 3-3, John Sulwe awarded a penalty to the visitors.
The Sharks players surrounded the referee to protest. Footage shows brutal behaviour towards him, according to Nation Kenya. Then supporters crossed the barriers, and the referee was assaulted as he tried to leave the pitch with the help of soldiers and stewards.
The match was stopped because of the violence.
Forfeit and consequences
The Kenyan Federation’s leagues and competitions committee has ruled: the match is lost 0-2 by forfeit for Kariobangi Sharks. Mombasa United are promoted to the Premier League, and the Sharks are relegated to the National Super League.
On the legal side, Omoto and Chesare are to be charged with assault and public disorder, according to Nation Kenya. Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the investigation had concluded that the events went beyond the sporting framework.
The committee has also referred all cases of violence and misconduct to the federation’s disciplinary commission, which must therefore examine these events in parallel with the proceedings against the two players.
What awaits the Sharks
Two stages remain for the club: the charging of Patillah Omoto and Erastus Chesare, and the disciplinary commission of the Kenyan Federation’s review of sanctions. The Sharks already know their division for the coming season; the sanctions that may follow this review remain unknown.
This information is reported by Nation Kenya, cited by UA.News.