Football body fines Kenya, again, over safety concerns
It is the first time three East African countries — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — have hosted the ongoing African Nations Championship, but the historic moment has been overshadowed by long delays over the stadiums' readiness and now unruly spectators.
Crowds have stormed Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium without tickets at previous matches involving Kenya, with videos on social media showing people chaotically streaming into the facility being shared — and condemned — widely online.
The continent has a deadly history of football crowds losing control, with 140 people dying in a stampede outside a Guinean stadium last year.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already fined Kenya — imposing a $17,500 fine on Monday — and limited the crowd size ahead of their match against Zambia on Sunday.
CAF's disciplinary board said there had been 'multiple safety and security breaches' at the Kasarani Stadium, stating that it had 'found Kenya guilty and imposed a fine of $50,000'.
ALSO READ | Portugal's Sousa named as Kuwait national team coach
In a statement online, CAF warned Kenya must meet safety and security requirements — advising additional security at matches — otherwise the country's games may be relocated 'to an alternative venue'.
Sports minister Salim Mvurya said that they had assured CAF they would comply with international standards.
'We have taken a senior security meeting this morning with the senior ranks in our police service, and we have agreed that we will put extra measures to ensure we secure Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums,' he told reporters.
Mvurya said there would also be increased checkpoints on the roads approaching the stadium.
He also acknowledged many Kenyan football fans would not be able to access the stadium, announcing the establishment of six 'fan zones' across the capital.
Fan violence and stadium stampedes across Africa have led to the deaths of hundreds of supporters over the last decade, including in 2020 when seven fans died in a stampede in Kenya.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Football body fines Kenya, again, over safety concerns
Kenya will receive another fine over crowd safety and security breaches, a football governing body said Wednesday, with officials promising to prevent chaotic scenes outside stadiums with extra security. It is the first time three East African countries — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — have hosted the ongoing African Nations Championship, but the historic moment has been overshadowed by long delays over the stadiums' readiness and now unruly spectators. Crowds have stormed Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium without tickets at previous matches involving Kenya, with videos on social media showing people chaotically streaming into the facility being shared — and condemned — widely online. The continent has a deadly history of football crowds losing control, with 140 people dying in a stampede outside a Guinean stadium last year. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already fined Kenya — imposing a $17,500 fine on Monday — and limited the crowd size ahead of their match against Zambia on Sunday. CAF's disciplinary board said there had been 'multiple safety and security breaches' at the Kasarani Stadium, stating that it had 'found Kenya guilty and imposed a fine of $50,000'. ALSO READ | Portugal's Sousa named as Kuwait national team coach In a statement online, CAF warned Kenya must meet safety and security requirements — advising additional security at matches — otherwise the country's games may be relocated 'to an alternative venue'. Sports minister Salim Mvurya said that they had assured CAF they would comply with international standards. 'We have taken a senior security meeting this morning with the senior ranks in our police service, and we have agreed that we will put extra measures to ensure we secure Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums,' he told reporters. Mvurya said there would also be increased checkpoints on the roads approaching the stadium. He also acknowledged many Kenyan football fans would not be able to access the stadium, announcing the establishment of six 'fan zones' across the capital. Fan violence and stadium stampedes across Africa have led to the deaths of hundreds of supporters over the last decade, including in 2020 when seven fans died in a stampede in Kenya.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Madagascar vs Central African Republic, CHAN 2024 LIVE Streaming info: How to watch African Nations Championship?
Madagascar and the Central African Republic will battle it out to remain in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) as the two sides face off in Tanzania on Wednesday. The match holds special importance for the Central African Republic, which will play on its Independence Day, hoping to secure its first competitive win this year. It has lost both its games in CHAN so far. Meanwhile, Madagascar has a draw and a loss in the tournament, falling to co-host Tanzania in its previous match When and where will Madagascar vs Central African Republic be played? The match between Madagascar and Central African Republic will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It is scheduled to kick off at 05:00 PM local time (7:30 PM IST) on Wednesday, August 13. Where to watch Madagascar vs Central African Republic in CHAN 2024? The CHAN 2024 match, Madagascar vs Central African Republic, will be broadcast on SuperSport and beIN Sports. The tournament was initially intended to be held in 2024, but was delayed on account of organisational difficulties.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Drive against drug peddling loses steam in Coimbatore
Coimbatore: Drive against drug peddling was very active in the city till a year ago. It was then that the city police busted a drug cartel being run by an Ugandan national - Aivan Gabonge – from the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru with the help of a Kenyan national - Ivy Bonuke, 26. Police were quick to arrest the Kenyan national and seize synthetic drugs. Similarly, a Haryana-based pharmaceutical company owner – Sachin – was arrested by the city police for supplying prescription pills, especially painkillers and sedatives to the local drug peddlers, who were selling the same to college students and IT professionals to get high. Now, the drive against drug peddling has lost steam. The difference is that the city earlier had two special teams exclusively working on curbing the drug menace. Now that the teams are dissolved on the directive of the director general of police, the fight against drug peddling has lost its teeth. "The special teams were closely following the drug trafficking network, busting rackets operating out of different states. After the special teams were dissolved two months ago, many drug rackets have resumed their activities, and drug peddling has been increasing gradually," said a police officer, who didn't want to be named. Pointing out that some IT professionals were in the habit of taking synthetic drugs to stay awake during their night shifts, the officer said, "They gradually get addicted to drugs, spoiling their mental and physical health. Controlling synthetic drug trafficking is the need of the hour. As per the data available with the city police, 281.62 kilograms of ganja, 217.32 grams of methamphetamine and 34,786 painkillers/sedative pills were seized, and 600 drug peddlers were arrested in 285 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 2024. The special teams were instrumental in arresting 169 peddlers and seizing 161kg of ganja and 77 grams of methamphetamine. Another police officer said the drug peddlers were using technology to evade arrest. "Some rackets contact their buyers through Instagram and share the locations where they have hidden drugs. It is not easy to track these locations and arrest the drug peddlers. Therefore, we have started using Instagram under various aliases to keep in contact with the drug peddlers." Yet another police officer said drug peddling had considerably come down in the city. "The special teams were successful in curtailing the main drug supply by arresting the suppliers." He, however, said the law and order police wouldn't be able to focus on drug peddling cases. "Special teams exclusively handling drug trafficking are important, as they could take leads and arrest peddlers from across the country." When contacted, city police commissioner A Saravana Sundar said, "We are taking necessary steps to curtail the drug menace in the city. We have been conducting raids and seizing drugs regularly. This year, so far, we have registered 182 cases and arrested 328 drug peddlers, of who 45 have been detained under the Goondas Act. The seizure of drugs has decreased since we have arrested the main suppliers from other states. We are monitoring couriers and parcel services as well." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
