Referees issue demands to Leopards chairman after reported assault in Mashemeji Derby
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 28.04.26. | 09:13
AFC Leopards are next scheduled to play on 9 May at home against Mara Sugar, with attention now turning to whether the standoff will be resolved before then
FKF Premier League referees have threatened to boycott all matches involving AFC Leopards until club chairman, Boniface Ambani, issues a public apology and provides assurances for their safety.
The decision follows Sunday’s heated Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, which Gor Mahia won 1-0 to extend their lead at the top of the table by six points.
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After the final whistle, match officials were reportedly attacked in the dressing room by individuals who accused them of bias.
Earlier, the referees had also been pelted with stones and bottles while heading to the dressing room, before further confrontation followed inside.
Tensions escalated further on Monday morning when AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani took to social media, strongly criticizing the officiating.
He accused referees of being involved in match manipulation and called on the federation to urgently address what he described as deep-rooted refereeing problems across all levels of Kenyan football.
Ambani also blamed poor officiating for undermining the integrity of the league and questioned FKF’s response to the issue.
The referees have now taken a firm position, stating they will not take charge of any AFC Leopards matches until Ambani apologises and guarantees their security.
They say the chairman’s remarks have exposed match officials to increased risk and could endanger their safety in future fixtures involving the club.
In their statement, the referees emphasized that the boycott is also informed by previous incidents in which officials, including Michael Obuya and Kelvin Maina, were allegedly assaulted.
AFC Leopards are next scheduled to play on 9 May at home against Mara Sugar, with attention now turning to whether the standoff will be resolved before then.
