Police were forced to rescue and evacuate referees after a tense Trans Nzoia KSSSA semi-final football match between rivals St Joseph’s Boys National School and St Anthony’s Boys High School.
The game at Ndura Sports Complex Kitale was abandoned in the 80th minute after the referee failed to award a controversial penalty to St Joseph’s Boys.
After the incident, centre referee Peter Sandui and his three assistants had to be protected from irate St Joseph’s Boys’ fans who stormed the pitch.
The officials were later evacuated in a police land cruiser and taken to an unknown place.
Prior to the ugly scenes, Charles Stone had given St. Anthony’s Boys a lead in the 13th minute through a penalty before Lutta Mwalati drew level five minutes later.
Pressure by the Cosmas Nabungolo-coached team bore fruit in the 33rd minute when Instinct Simiyu made it 2-1.
But their celebrations were cut short by Gregory Angesa’s equaliser before the break.
The second half resumed amid growing tension, with both sides searching for the winning goal.
In the 78th minute, St Anthony’s Boys were awarded a second penalty after a foul inside the penalty area, and Charles Stone made no mistake to grab his brace from the spot.
Trans Nzoia County’s Standard and Quality Assurance officer Maurice Akala confirmed to have received an appeal from St. Joseph’s Boys.
“My team is handling the abandonment of the game and will provide details,” Akala told Standard Sports.