Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has with immediate effect suspended a KCB player for assaulting a match official.

George Opiyo, has been suspended for a year for his actions during a NSL league match against Zoo Kericho.

“We have written to KCB informing them of the player’s suspension, in accordance with the amended rule 7.7 that deals with assaults on match Officials,” said FKF CEO Robert Muthomi.

And he added ; “The decision to suspend the player was arrived at after receiving the match officials report which stated that Opiyo punched the center referee after he was sent-off for a second bookable offence.”

In accordance with rule 7.7 Assaults on Officials An “assault” means any intentional physical contact with an official carrying out any officially recognized duties at a match organized or authorized by the FKF.

Any reported assault of a match official off or away from the field of play will be dealt with as if the offence occurred on the field of play. An assault will be assessed for the purposes of disciplinary action under the following three categories:

7.7 Assaults on Officials (a) Common Assault: If the case is substantiated to the satisfaction of the committee, any player or team official who attacks or attempts to attack a match official will be suspended for three hundred and sixty five days (365 days).

The team that the player plays for will be liable for any and all damages caused to the match official(s) or face other disciplinary action. (a) Competent Authorities: Any misconduct by members registered in a national league or competition must be dealt with by the National Leagues and Competitions Committee.

Any misconduct by members registered in a Branch league or competition must be dealt with by the Branch Leagues and Competitions Committee. (b) Decisions by Match Officials: The decisions made by the referee or assistant referees on the Laws of the Game during a match are final. Clubs and players may submit a protest but cannot appeal those decisions.

Story Credit – FKF