SONKO PETITIONS CAF TO REPLAY KENYA VS MADAGASCAR CHAN QUARTER FINAL OVER ALLEGED OFFICIATING BIAS

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko is calling for a replay of the 2024 CHAN quarter-final clash between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Madagascar, citing alleged bias and unlawful officiating. In a petition filed with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) under Article 43 of the CAF Statute, Sonko claims that match officials showed clear bias and wrongly disallowed two legitimate goals scored by Kenya. He further alleges that these decisions were made without consulting VAR, team captains, coaches, or other relevant officials.

“The conduct of the match officials during the Kenya versus Madagascar quarter-final was highly prejudicial to the Republic of Kenya and violated the principles of sportsmanship, loyalty, integrity, and ethics,” the petition states.

Represented by lawyer Arnold Oginga, Sonko argues that CAF’s definition of match officials includes referees, assistant referees, commissioners, inspectors, and all personnel appointed by CAF or FIFA. He accuses these officials of collectively conspiring to deny Kenya a fair chance at progressing to the semi-finals.

The petition seeks several remedies, including the nullification of the disallowed goals, the annulment of the penalty shootout outcome, and the awarding of the match to Kenya. Alternatively, Sonko is asking CAF to mandate a replay of the quarter-final. Additionally, the petition calls for disciplinary action against the referee and other officials involved in the match, accusing them of violating CAF’s Code of Conduct and Statutes. Kenya’s remarkable CHAN campaign came to a heartbreaking end on Friday night after a 4-3 defeat to Madagascar in a penalty shootout at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.