Sofapaka CEO Ronald Okoth has strongly criticized the officiating in his team’s 1-0 loss to FC Talanta in round two of FKF Premier League action.
Speaking to Pepeta after the game, Okoth was particularly outraged by the 95th-minute penalty awarded to FC Talanta, which ultimately decided the game’s outcome.
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“We had a good match from both sides, but unfortunately the referee awarded FC Talanta a penalty in the 95th minute. It wasn’t a penalty for me. It looks like the referees don’t care at all. Both teams played good football, but whoever was in charge seems to have had a fixed mind,” Okoth remarked.
The Sofapaka CEO didn’t stop there, he criticized the officiating in the game where he pointed out a penalty awarded to their opponents earlier in the game which they failed to convert.
“We had several controversial decisions in the game including the first penalty awarded to them. I can’t take anything away from FC Talanta, they played well but that wasn’t a penalty in the 95th minute,” he added.
Okoth’s outrage extended beyond just the specific calls made during the game. He raised concerns about the financial and emotional investment clubs like Sofapaka make, only to have their efforts undermined by poor officiating.
“There’s no reason for a team to train, spend all that money and yet those in charge don’t care about the officiating,” he lamented. “It wasn’t okay. I’m even questioning whether it was about someone trying to make history. Losses are part of football, but they should come through fair officiating. It’s painful. Club officials spend their own money, and then we’re treated to poor officiating. Everyone who watched the game knows this, they’re destroying our football,” he added.
The Sofapaka CEO urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the referees’ board to take action and ensure that those officiating matches are qualified and competent, especially when high-stakes decisions are involved.
“I’ll advise the FKF or the referees’ board to ensure that those officiating these games are qualified and competent,” Okoth stressed. “To make matters worse, that wrong call was from a referee with experience. Even the match commissioner was surprised by that penalty decision.”
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