Abagusii lawyers protest Shabana FC sanctions, sue FKF

Lawyers from the Abagusii community have protested an FKF ban on premier league side Shabana FC that will require the team to play their next five home matches without fans.

The Football Kenya Federation's Leagues and Competition Committee imposed the ban on Shabana following the team's last weekend's 2-2 draw with Ulinzi Stars at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

Shabana was leading until the last minute of added time when Ulinzi Stars equalised.

After the final whistle, some fans uprooted seats and threw them into the playing field.

On Thursday, the Leagues and Competitions Committee through chairman Michael Majua slapped the Glamour Boys with sanctions following the fan trouble.

“Shabana FC shall play their immediate five home matches behind closed doors— beginning with their home game against Posta Rangers on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The club shall be responsible for ensuring adherence to this sanction by their supporters,” Majua said in his letter to the club.

But lawyers from the Abagusii region have condemned the ban terming it unfair and discriminative.

Led by Danstan Omari and Samson Nyaberi, the over 50 advocates said they were moving to the Sports Disputes Tribunal to challenge the sanctions.

"First and foremost, there is no evidence to show that the goons who caused trouble were Shabana FC fans. In the past, teams have been banned for two games. Why five for Shabana FC?" Omari posed.

Nyaberi said the decision to have the team play behind closed doors will hurt not only the players but also the community given supporting the team is their only leisure activity.

Shabana FC was waiting to play their FKF Premier League games at Gusii Stadium for the first time in 18 years when they took on Posta Rangers at the Gusii Stadium.

The 30,000-seater stadium has been undergoing renovation works that forced the team to play most of its home matches at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay last season.

The Gusii Stadium often fills whenever Shaban FC is playing there.

"So you can imagine the loss the ban will occasion to the team socially, psychologically and financially. The team stands to lose millions of shillings in revenues in terms of gate collections and the societal fabric will also be affected given the jubilant fans will be locked out of the matches. That is not right," Nyaberi said.

In their petition to the Sports Disputes Tribunal filed on Thursday, the lawyers want the decision by FKF set aside and the matter certified urgent.

They have cited unfair attribution of responsibility, disproportionate punishment, lack of mitigation factors and adverse effects of the ban among grounds for the appeal.