Kenyan play-off between Kariobangi Sharks & Mombasa United abandoned after attacks on referee

[p]The fixture, whose winner was to earn a ticket to participate in the FKF Premier League this season, was called off in the 66th minute after United were awarded a contentious penalty by match referee John Sulwe.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kariobangi-sharks/EkWjHR8e/"]Sharks[/a] contest penalty[/h2][p]A ball from the corner saw a United player go down under challenge inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot.[/p][embed guid="b5752c59-45a4-4f34-88a5-ac4ebc4a16f9" url="https://x.com/CMigwambo/status/2107495810246103357" social-type="twitter" /][p]However, the referee's decision was immediately contested by Sharks players.[/p][p][b]The players attacked referee Sulwe, prompting their fans to flood the field while baying for the referee’s blood. [/b][b]The referee was assaulted which being chased around the field before he was taken to safety by the security in charge.[/b][/p][p]By the time of abandonment, Sharks were leading 2-1. The first leg in Mombasa had seen United win 2-1 at Mbaraki Sports Club.[/p][embed guid="34bdf47b-fe59-46aa-a2f1-3f29744d78db" url="https://x.com/Techsupport97/status/2107473583760871517" social-type="twitter" /][p]In Nairobi, United were the first to score when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lubulu-christian/6mlLy9CT/"]Christian Lubulu[/a] hit the back of the net in the sixth minute, but Sharks levelled matters in the 28th minute courtesy of Patillah Omoto.[/p][p]Sharks then went 2-1 up in the 45th minute when Douglas Omanga finished off a cross from Omoto.[/p][p]All eyes will now be on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Disciplinary Committee to see what decision they will take.[/p][h2]‘I believe in fair play’[/h2][p]Ahead of the game, Gor Mahia official Sally Bolo had questioned the decision by FKF to appoint Sulwe and his assistant Jane Cherono to officiate in the decisive return leg.[/p][p][b]“I’m not questioning the integrity of any official personally, but as a football stakeholder, I cannot ignore what naturally raises questions,”[/b] said Bolo in a statement seen by Flashscore.[/p][p][b]“For the FKF Premier League/NSL promotion playoff return leg between Sharks and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mombasa-united/8dpoZukn/"]Mombasa United[/a], centre referee John (Sulwe) has been appointed after officiating only five matches cumulatively over the last two seasons. Assistant referee Jane Cherono is also returning after serving a suspension in the FKF Premier League before being demoted to the NSL.[/b][/p][p][b]“With so much at stake, appointments matter. They must not only be fair; they must also be transparent and inspire confidence.”[/b][/p][embed guid="4d1a1e67-de49-445c-8bea-ef5800cebc03" url="https://x.com/k_sharksfc/status/2107454989488497016" social-type="twitter" /][p]Bolo added: [b]“I say this because we don’t want to leave our offices, travel to the stadium and sit through a match whose outcome football fans already believe has been determined.[/b][/p][p][b]“That is not good for the game, the clubs, the officials or the Federation. FKF has the administrative mandate to make appointments, but stakeholders equally have a legitimate right to ask questions when decisions appear questionable.[/b][/p][p][b]“I believe in fair play; not just for the 90 minutes, but in every process leading to those 90 minutes. Let the game be decided on the pitch, not by perception before kick-off.[/b][/p][p][b]“Transparency builds trust. Fair play must be seen, but it must also be believed.”[/b][/p][p]Sharks are fighting to keep their status in the top-flight while United are seeking to play in the league for the first time in their history.[/p][p]FKF have already planned the new season to kick off on Friday with Nairobi United taking on KCB in the opener.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="432c38dd-6bc9-4a3b-a1ee-ba5a5122405d" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]