FKF suspends KPL, NSL referees for misconduct

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has imposed sanctions on three Kenya Premier League (KPL) referees and one National Super League (NSL) referee for misconduct.

Match officials Joshua Achilla, Collins Opiyo, and Hosea Omondi have been suspended by the federation after a review of questionable decisions they made during selected Kenyan Premier League matches. Achilla and Omondi have been suspended for a period not exceeding three rounds of the KPL while Opiyo will be out for four rounds.

NSL referee Nick Indieka will sit out three rounds of the FKF National Super League, following allegations brought to the FKF Ad-Hoc Committee about his disrespect to FKF Nairobi West Branch Officials during their Referees Seminar at the Hope Center.

According to the FKF Website, Achilla was reprimanded for two decisions he made in AFC Leopards’ loss to Gor Mahia during the Mashemeji Derby played in February at the MISC Kasarani. Gor won the match 2-0.

“…Having admitted to the above offence, you are hereby suspended immediately for three rounds of Kenya Premier League calendar matches,” read part of the letter sent to Achilla, signed by FKF General Secretary Robert Muthomi.

Omondi, on the other hand, was faulted for failing to send off Gor Mahia FC goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji for denying Sony Sugar a goal scoring opportunity by a deliberate handball outside the penalty area. K’Ogalo won the match 3-2.

Opiyo, who will be out for four matches, was reprimanded awarding a questionable penalty to Sofapaka in their match against KCB played on April 14, 2019, at the Machakos Stadium. Batoto ba Mungu won the match1-0 thanks to the penalty awarded by Opiyo.

“After a thorough review of the incident in a video clip that resulted in a penalty, the Committee is convinced that your decision was questionable since it is the attacker who initiated contact after realizing that he had lost possession of the ball in the penalty area,” the letter sent to Opiyo read in part.

Lucky NSL match official Meshack Omondi was vindicated for his decision to extend added time by eight minutes in Wazito’s home match against Shabana at Camp Toyoyo. Omondi’s decision to add eight minutes to the match lead to Shabana FC fans interrupting play. The match had to be ended prematurely.

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In related news, NSL and Women Premier League referee Joseph Nyaga was served with a warning letter for having absconded duty without proper justification.