Shabana FC Fights Back in Court After Fan Ban Over Ulinzi Stadium Violence

By Collins Wanzallah

Shabana Football Club has taken its battle to the courts, filing an urgent appeal before the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) to overturn a ban imposed by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). The club’s legal team is pushing back against accusations that their supporters were involved in the violence and destruction of property during last weekend’s match at Ulinzi Complex Stadium in Nairobi.

The chaos that erupted at the stadium has landed Shabana FC in hot water, with FKF slapping a five-match ban on the club’s supporters. If upheld, the ruling will prevent fans from attending home games, a move that Shabana’s lawyers argue will cripple the club financially.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, a team of city lawyers – Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui, Sam Nyaberi, and Paul Macharia – came out swinging, arguing that Shabana FC stands to lose millions in revenue from the absence of their loyal fanbase.

Omari made it clear that there is no direct evidence linking Shabana’s supporters to the damage at the stadium. “Not a single piece of CCTV footage or witness statement shows that Shabana fans were responsible,” he said, adding that Ulinzi Stars fans could just as easily have been behind the chaos.

“This decision is overly harsh,” Omari continued. “None of the Shabana fans were given a chance to defend themselves, and there seems to be a plot to stifle the talent coming out of Gusii land.”

The legal team also highlighted the significant economic impact the ban would have on the local community. “Hotels are fully booked ahead of the return match in Gusii, and small businesses like mama mbogas and those selling bananas will lose big if the fans are kept away, especially those travelling from the city,” Omari said.

The lawyers are now calling for intervention from President William Ruto, Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and Gusii leaders to step in and prevent what they describe as an unfair attack on the club. Omari hinted that powerful forces, whom he referred to as “cartels,” are behind the move to weaken Shabana FC.

The heated clash between Ulinzi Stars and Shabana FC ended in a 2-2 draw, but the fallout has been explosive. Yesterday, FKF chairman Michael Majua issued a directive banning Shabana fans for five matches and ordering the club to cover all medical expenses for officers injured in the fracas.

The club’s supporters now await the tribunal’s decision, hoping that justice will be served and they will be allowed back into the stands to cheer on their team.