CHAN2024: CAF threatens to strip Kenya of hosting Harambee Stars matches, limits stadium capacity

Kenya stands the risk of not hosting a match involving their national men's football team - Harambee Stars - following major security lapses witnessed at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, 11 August.

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The warning comes as part of new measures imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday, 11 August, after the country's Local Organizing Committee (LOC) failed to adhere to previous sanctions surrounding control of ticketless spectators, effective crowd management, and compliance with CAF security requirements.

The development comes in response to major safety and security failures being witnessed during Harambee Stars’ match against Morocco on Sunday at the Moi International Sports Centre - Kasarani, where there was overcrowding and unauthorized entry by fans without tickets, as highlighted in a now-viral video of individuals breaking through one of the facility gates.

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CAF, in its two-page statement, listed seven major instances of security lapse in the said match, forcing its hand on imposing new measures for all upcoming Kenya home matches at Kasarani.

The three measures include: Restriction of the stadium capacity to accommodate only a maximum 60 percent, which translates to 27,000 fans, limitation of entry to fans with purely electronic tickets (online), and the subsequent launching of a public media campaign by the Kenyan Government and LOC, reinforcing safety protocols and entry requirements.

"CAF expects full and immediate compliance with these directives. Failure to implement them may result in more serious sanctions, which may include the consideration of alternative venues for future matches of the host team," the letter warned.

The new wave of measures is a big knock on Kenya's preparedness to hosting big-level international football events, and comes at the back of two other sanctions handed last week, following similar incidences at Kasarani and Nyayo stadium.

For Kenya's opening fixture against DR Congo, CAF’s Disciplinary Board charged the Football Kenya Federation, FKF, with violating Articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code and Articles 15, 31, and 32 of the CAF Safety and Security Regulations.

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The sanctions included a fine of 5,000 USD for stampede and unauthorized access, a fine of 10,000 USD for assault on CAF personnel and guests, and a warning over ignition of fire inside the stadium.

In another ruling, for a CHAN fixture between Morocco and Angola, FKF was fined 5,000 USD, with 2,500 USD of that amount suspended, after again being found guilty of similar breaches.

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The latest directives will now impact fans directly, while leaving Benni McCarthy's side short of a full house, and more damaging implications should the measures fail to be completely implemented.

Among the series of security lapses CAF mentioned in its statement include: overrunning of stadium gates and PSAs by ticketless spectators, initial crowd control failure at Ngomongo roundabout, use of teargas and flash grenades, stone-throwing at security personnel, inadequate police response, insufficient communication tools, and lack of CCTV coverage at critical entry points.