AFC Leopards SC has been penalized by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competitions Committee following the abandonment of their FKF Cup match against Mara Sugar FC on March 8, 2025.

The highly anticipated fixture, held at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, was called off in the 89th minute after AFC Leopards fans stormed the pitch in protest against a referee’s decision.

FKF Ruling: Leopards Forfeit the Match

Following a review of match officials’ reports and team submissions, the FKF committee determined that AFC Leopards SC was responsible for the match’s abandonment due to the actions of their supporters.

As a result, Mara Sugar FC has been awarded the victory and will advance to the next round of the competition.

The ruling also states that AFC Leopards has forfeited the match, in accordance with Article 6.4(iv) of the FKF Cup Regulations and Article 3.5.6 of the Rules Governing Kenyan Football.

Additionally, the club has received a formal warning regarding fan misconduct and has been urged to implement measures to curb hooliganism in future matches.

The FKF committee has promised to issue a detailed report within 21 days explaining its decision.

Fan Behavior in Kenyan Football: A Growing Concern

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of controlling crowd behavior in Kenyan football. The FKF has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on match disruptions and has pledged to enforce regulations that uphold discipline and fairness in the sport.

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