Black Stars decry call to abandon weekend tie

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On Saturday 23 June 2012, one of seven ties lined up in Nairobi’s Provincial League failed to end.

From the Dandora Stadium, and with the game at 1-1, a tie between FC Sid and visiting Kibera Black Stars was called off in the 59^th minute.

No fan from Black Stars threw a bottle

It was reported that a fan from Black Stars hit an assistant referee with a bottle which led to the game being called off for insecurity.

But in a sharp reaction, Black Stars have responded denying the reasons given for the abandonment and instead pointed a finger at an official with FC Sid interests at heart.

- No fan from Black Stars threw a bottle at the assistant referee. He picked one from the touchline and chose to say he had been hit by a Black Stars fan, said Black Stars Coach Eric Okoth Ouma to futaa.com

Sought and slapped with a two year ban

-As soon as the bottle was picked, Ragos (the Nairobi Branch Secretary General) took it and rushed to the field of play and asked the referee to end the game – this in itself is against the rules of the game.

- This was very improper that the game had to end at the whims of an official who is associated with FC Sid. If indeed there was a case of a fan hitting the assistant referee, he should be sought and slapped with a two year ban as per the rules.

-If there was a case of insecurity from the fans, who should have provided security in the first place? Isn't it the home team? he

While Black Stars had their bit of the story, FC Sid, through Coach Andrew Oloo, also gave their version of events on the day

Black Stars sit top of the 20-team log

-The game was going on very well with no incidents at all. But at some point, with the scores at 1-1, an assistant referee lifted his flag and called the center referee. After some consultation between the two, the game was called off

-We were informed that the assistant referee had been hit by a bottle from behind as he was on the side where supporters of Black Stars were. He did not feel secure enough and because of insecurity decided not to continue with the game, concluded Oloo

As an official communication is awaited on the way forward for the game, Black Stars sit top of the 20-team log while FC Sid are 13^th.