Mwendwa: FKF to take up racism allegations against Nairobi City Stars coach Alagic leaves

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have promised to investigate the alleged racism claims being levelled against Nairobi City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic.

On Wednesday, Vihiga United coach Sammy Okoth confirmed to Goal his players were subjected to racist language after the Bosnian coach was alleged to call Vihiga players ‘black monkeys.’

The visiting team then threatened to boycott the FKF Premier League match which was being played at Utalii grounds before they were prevailed upon by the match officials to continue after they were promised the allegations had been captured in the match report.

While City Stars have also launched their own investigations into the matter and promised to punish the coach if found guilty, FKF President Nick Mwendwa has told Goal they will pick up the matter when it reaches their office.

“Vihiga United should report those allegations immediately,” Mwendwa told Goal on Thursday. “Then as FKF we can pick it up from there, for now we are waiting for the report to come.

“We have to follow the necessary process because this is a very sensitive matter but we will look at it and give an appropriate decision.”

While FKF have promised to look at the issue, Goal can now report coach Alagic has already left the country for Bosnia.

According to a source, who did not want to be named, the coach, who helped City Stars to earn promotion to the top-flight, was already booked to travel to his native country, as the league is taking a break for Christmas and New Year holidays.

“[Alagic] left the country last night [Wednesday], just after the game against Vihiga United,” the source told Goal. “He had already booked a flight to travel because City Stars were playing their last match before the league break and so he left immediately after the game.”

City Stars have already promised to investigate the matter by stating: “The allegations are grave, to say the least, and as a club, we have launched immediate investigations on the same,” the club communicated via their official portal.

“To get us to the bottom of the matter, we have asked for the footage of the recorded game and would urge anyone who was close by to share any videos and audios that can provide evidence on the same," the statement continued.

“Should there be any evidence we will take immediate action as our club policy does not condone any form or kind of racism as we believe in respect and dignity to all.”

Vihiga United have maintained their players were racially abused by the coach and have promised to lodge a complaint with FKF.

“When the ball went out and my players went for it, that is when [Sanjin] called them 'you black monkeys,” Yakhama told Goal on Wednesday.

“My players cannot be crazy and start accusing you of what you have not done. My players became furious saying 'this guy has just called us black monkeys,' and we had to calm them down.

“Maybe it was just a slip of tongue, but he cannot say he did not abuse my players.”

43-year-old Alagic was appointed City Stars coach last year and oversaw their promotion back to the top flight after a four-year absence. The Sarajevo-born coach, who holds a Uefa Pro License, held the reins for Bosnia's U21 team until 2019, having also worked at club sides in his homeland, as well as in Slovakian football, and in the Middle East.

Simba wa Nairobi are now fifth in the FKF Premier League on eight points after five matches, having scored five and conceded two goals.