A match that was vital for the team's survival in the First Division, the highest Kenyan league, was interrupted and then definitively abandoned in the 90th minute after a penalty awarded by the referee, which caused great anger from the team and the home fans, who launched a real chase against the referee, following the referee on and off the field, only saved thanks to the intervention of the security forces and taking refuge in the locker room.
A day of ordinary madness on the outskirts of a match. Important, of course, but still a simple football event. The context? Kenya, Nairobi, Tuesday, October 7, Ulinzi Complex stadium, the decisive match between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United to ensure their stay in the elite, after the first leg had ended in a 1-1 draw. In the 90th minute, after a corner kick, referee John Sulwe awarded a penalty to the visitors. This was the beginning of the end: all the opposing players rushed towards the referee and chaos broke out. But this was not the typical on-field clash that has been seen on other occasions.
🚨😱 REFEREE ESCAPES DEATH BY A WHISKER! A dramatic scene unfolded during the Kariobangi Sharks FC vs Mombasa United match, which was eventually abandoned after tensions escalated. The referee was reportedly forced to flee for his safety as the situation became extremely dangerous. 😳🚨
— ADE (@QuakuAde) October 7, 2026
The situation escalated in the blink of an eye and became surreal: from the stands, from the places behind the barriers near the field, fans began to gather, occupying the athletics track and looking for only one person: John Sulwe. The referee was chased, accompanied by insults, pushing, kicking and punching. Objects were thrown, chairs were used, in a hostile and dangerous climate for the referee, who was saved only thanks to the intervention of the stewards and the minimal forces of order belonging to the Kenya Defence Forces, taking refuge in the locker rooms.
Kariobangi Sharks players and fans attack the referee after he awarded a penalty during their clash with Mombasa United 😂🤦♂️ https://t.co/KTUIwmkxwA
— 🀄️🦅 (@Breezy09800) October 7, 2026
Now the disciplinary decision belongs to the Kenya Football Association, which is expected to award the victory to the Mombasa team, for a play-off match that should not have even taken place: Kariobangi Sharks had appealed, proving the technical error that had forced them to be unfairly relegated (incorrect calculation of goal difference), from the first division to the second, forcing the decisive match to be played. A match that was supposed to solve everything, but in fact has further complicated a situation that was already on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
