Sportpesa suspends KPL Bigwigs’ Sponsorship
SportPesa on Tuesday suspended its sponsorship for Kenyan Premier League bigwigs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards sighting hooliganism.
The news came hours on Tuesday after Football Kenya Federation announced that teams whose fans cause trouble will be docked six points and repeating the offence three times will see the club relegated to a lower division.
Karauri said SportPesa will suspend sponsorship for the two teams to allow for proper dialogue with the leadership of the clubs over the disturbing acts of violence witnessed in the past two weeks during local league matches.
Speaking at a joint press briefing in Nairobi yesterday, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri said the company made the decision to protect its brand from being tarnished by the two clubs and they will only resume sponsorship for the two teams once they are satisfied that the two teams have put in place proper arrangements to contain hooliganism.
“We have today suspended sponsorship for the two clubs. We are in an awkward position as sponsors and it is high time we did something to curb hooliganism. As sponsors, we won’t just sit and watch as our brand is tarnished. Let the clubs take responsibility and be accountable.” He stated.
On Sunday, Leopards match against Ulinzi Stars was abandoned owing to acts of hooliganism by the club’s fans in the 80th minute barely a week after the Tusker versus Gor Mahia match at the Nyayo National Stadium was also marred by hooliganism.
The two clubs will now play their three consecutive matches in an empty stadium and pay a fine of Ksh. 500, 000 each.