Kairobangi Sharks defender Paschal Ogweno (right) vies for the ball against Posta Rangers' Dennis Mukaisi during their Kenya Premier League match played at Afraha Stadium on April 22, 2017. [PHOTO/nation.co.ke]
Kariobangi Sharks defender Paschal Ogweno awaits sanctions by the Independent Disciplinary Committee (IDC) for violent misconduct in his team's 1-0 loss to Kenya Premier League leaders Posta Rangers at Afraha Stadium on Saturday.
Ogweno became violent after being red-carded in the 38th minute following his deliberate handling of a goal-bound ball in the area.
What followed was a spirited quarrel between his side and the centre refereeMoses Simiyu and in the end he snatched the red card and threw it away in protest.
It was only after the efforts of KPL Chief of Technical Services, Safety and Security GMT Otieno that he left the field of play.
“He tore the card and was sluggish to get off the pitch. He has been a nuisance in the second tier unfortunately he has extended the same thing in the top flight. As referees we are eagerly waiting to see what action both the federation and KPL will take,” said one of the referees as quoted by Nation Sport.
Speaking after the game, his coach William Muluya admitted that the player's conduct was uncalled for.
“I am yet to see what transpired exactly whether it was a penalty or not and if the player deserved a red card. That said, what happened after being carded was uncalled for from him. It’s unfortunate, we shall look into the matter at club level,” said Muluya.
Otieno has already hinted at the player being banned just like Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi and Gor Mahia Fitness trainer Sandro Fantoni who have been handed one-month and three-match bans over various offences.
“We are going to look at the report and sanction the player. Fortunately I was on the ground and escorted the player off the field of play. We consider such an incident as violent conduct and it’s going to be filed with IDCC. When he went to the dressing room, someone who knows him told me it has been his character and it’s unfortunate that he has carried on the same in the premier league. It’s bad for him this time round he is in hot soup," Otieno said.
“It’s shocking that he is from Kariobangi Sharks, a team I believe is always watched by the national team coach (Stanley Okumbi) whenever he is not engaged. This is something that they should know that protesting against a referee’s decision is illegal. The club will be communicated to on the case once we compile the report and send it to IDCC,” he concluded.