Somalia-based football team Mogadishu City Club has issued a formal apology following a controversial incident involving some of its supporters, who were seen disrespecting the Kenyan national flag.
The incident happened during the club’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League preliminary round first-leg match against Kenya Police FC at the Nyayo National Stadium on September 20.
The match, which saw Kenya Police FC secure a 3-1 victory, was overshadowed by viral videos showing a section of Mogadishu City fans desecrating the Kenyan flag — an act that has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across Kenya.
Outrage sparks over disrespect to the Kenyan flag
Videos circulating on social media platforms such as TikTok and X captured moments where some Mogadishu City fans kicked, stomped on, and mocked the Kenyan flag.
In one clip, two fans take turns desecrating the flag — one spreading it on the ground and kicking it, while another grabs it mid-air and rubs it against his crotch as they laugh.
Another video shows a fan in traditional Somali attire nonchalantly snatching a Kenyan flag from a Kenya Police FC supporter and tossing it on the ground.
These acts of disrespect were met with anger by Kenyan fans both in the stadium and online.
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The animosity was further evident in another video showing a brief altercation after a Mogadishu City fan attempted to raise the Somali flag amidst a sea of Kenya Police supporters. The flag was quickly grabbed by Kenyan fans, leading to a tense confrontation.
Despite the outrage, some voices urged restraint, cautioning against generalizing the actions of a few to the entire Somali community in Kenya. A section of users online opined that the culprits should be held individually responsible for their actions without dragging an entire community or nation into the issue.
Mohamed Abdikheyr, a Kenyan-based Somali commentator, stated on X, “This is not representative of the average Somali. Sisi hatukuwangi hivi. These boys should be disciplined and banned from future matches. Football is not about this sort of behavior.”
Kenya’s National Flag, Emblems and Names Act (Cap. 99) safeguards the flag against disrespectful acts. While the Constitution recognizes the flag as a national symbol, it does not directly criminalize actions like stepping on it. However, Cap. 99 explicitly makes it illegal to insult or abuse the flag or other national emblems, with offenders liable to a fine of up to Ksh5,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
Mogadishu City Club issues apology
In response to the backlash, Mogadishu City Club, on Wednesday, September 24, released a statement criticizing the fans who were filmed disrespecting the Kenyan flag and harassing fans of their opponents.
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The Somalian team condemned the actions of the fans involved and extended sincere apologies to the Kenyan government and people, further calling on authorities to take stern action against the culprits.
“On behalf of Mogadishu City Club, we strongly condemn this act and extend our deepest apologies to the Government and People of Kenya. Such behavior has no place in football or in the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship that this competition represents,” the statement reads in part.
“We fully support any appropriate action by the Kenyan authorities against those involved. We also urge our fans – especially the younger generation (Gen-Z) – to always respect all nations, their flags and their people.”
Mogadishu City FC had garnered support from the Somali community in Kenya through an aggressive promotional campaign prior to the game.
The first leg, a home game for the Somalia club, was held at the Nyayo Stadium due to a lack of a proper venue back home for the home team.
Kenya Police FC’s commanding 3-1 victory gives them a strong advantage as the two teams prepare to meet again in the return leg, still at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The reigning Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions will proceed to the next CAF Champions League preliminary round if they maintain their win.
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