Gor Mahia coach Leonard Neiva speaks to the media at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 14, 2024.
The recent brazen assault of Gor Mahia coach Leonardo Neiva and his AFC Leopards counterpart Tomas Trucha by a section of the teams’ respective fans has once again brought to the fore the question of hooliganism in Kenyan football and why the scourge persists.
Neiva was attacked by a section of Gor supporters incensed that the league champions had blown away a comfortable 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Murang’a Seal at Kenyatta Stadium on Saturday.
Six days earlier the 46-year-old Brazilian coach had to be escorted to the dressing road by police and club stewards as fans threatened to physically attack him following a 2-1 loss to Nairobi City Stars at the same venue.
On Sunday irate fans hauled chairs at Trucha as they bayed for his blood at Kinoru Stadium in Meru after Leopards lost 2-0 to Ulinzi.
Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda said that Trucha had to seek treatment in hospital after suffering injuries from the assault.
To his credit, the Leopards boss condemned the incident and said they had reported the matter to the police and identified 12 individuals who were involved in the despicable attack.
“Attacking the coach is unacceptable. It was something that was well planned with some of the people involved travelling from upcountry. We have identified them and will follow this matter to the very end,” vowed Shikanda.
FKF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patrick Korir said that the federation’s League and Competitions Committee will deal with the matter promptly upon receiving the match report.
“Venting (by fans) is understandable but reacting to the level of causing harm to other people and damaging property cannot be allowed,” said Korir yesterday.
Over the years, FKF has punished clubs for violence attribute to the concerned clubs including fines, docking of points and playing behind closed doors but hooliganism continues to rear its ugly head.
On September 26, Shabana were ordered to play their next five matches behind closed doors after their fans destroyed property at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi following the team’s 2-2 draw with Ulinzi Stars.
The Kisii-based side were also instructed to bear the cost of the damages and medical fees for two policemen who were injured in the melee.
Shabana condemned the violence even as they successfully appealed to the Sports Disputes Tribunal for the ban to be lifted.
Shikanda said that Leopards will push for the 12 identified fans to be banned from attending matches.
But Korir said implementing such a measure in Kenya was difficult due to “lack of an elaborate system in place”.
The FKF CEO noted that even though the sanctions have significantly helped reduce hooliganism in the country, clubs hold the main responsibility for curbing the menace.
It is instructive that Gor Mahia have not officially condemned the attack on their coach.
In an interview with Nation Sport on Monday, Gor secretary general Sam Ochola did denounce the assault but blamed Neiva for the attack saying he should not have approached the fans to apologize for the result.
“Hooliganism can best be dealt with at club level. Clubs need to sensitize their supporters not to engage in hooliganism,” he said.
Shikanda said the club has been carrying civil education to their members not to engage in hooliganism.
“We have been telling our members that hooliganism has no place in our league. It will kill our club because the sponsors are on our necks,” said the former Kenya international.
