Can't fans, followers, lovers, managers and owners of Kenya's most largely followed football clubs get it? Hooliganism is unacceptable in whatever form.

Is it going to take the death of another person or the destruction of more property for all to accept that we need to eradicate this scourge that is notoriously prevalent in our football?

The destructive action of these despicable yobs must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by all and sundry and measures pursued to see that such behaviour is eradicated from our football.

Harm the officials

It is surprising and disappointing to see the reaction that followed IDAC's decision to order AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia to play their next home matches in a closed stadium as punishment for crowd trouble attributed to their fans.

Fans of both clubs were found guilty of hurling objects onto the playing field and holding the match officials hostage - and knowing how mobs behave, to all purpose and intent hoping for an opportunity to harm the officials.

Gor fans were also found to have deliberately damaged property in Oserian.

I am not going to name names, but I was dismayed by the pontification from officials and fans of the two clubs in seemingly muted defence of the unbecoming conduct of these unsavoury characters.

Near-moribund FKL

Here are some of the quotes that I feel were unfortunate as they were insensitive:

"The referee's officiating was poor. Fans had a right to react the way they did. When they are not happy the referee should be disciplined."

"We are not happy. That was a wrong decision and should be reversed. These are the two biggest clubs in Kenya."

"We are a community club which depends on gate collection. This is a big blow to the club and fans."

"No one can lock us out of a stadium. We will lock them out instead."

The near-moribund Football Kenya Limited has weighed in, saying KPL had usurped its powers and that IDAC's decision was null and void.

Destroying property

You will notice that not once was there a statement condemning the fans' action.

Wanton destruction of property is a felony. So too is assault. But not once did an official call for the arrest of the perpetrators of the stadium chaos.

That reminds me of similar past incidents.

When IDAC found Leopard's fans guilty of destroying property at Hope Centre during a KPL match against hosts Nairobi City Stars last season, the visiting club claimed that it was not their home match and therefore the spectators were not their fans and so they were not responsible blah blah blah.

A couple of seasons ago Gor were docked points and handed a hefty fine for crowd trouble. Gor claimed unfairness and refused to pay up.

Quite simply, clubs must take responsibility for the actions of their fans. They must identify troublemakers and ban them from the stands.

They must also be brave enough to accept just punishment.

Italian top club Juventus were ordered by the Italian League to play in an empty stadium last year following racist chants by their fans.

And in 2006 the Italian federation briefly put the season on hold and ordered some clubs to play in 'in camera' after a policeman was clubbed to death during rioting in Sicily between rival fans of Catania and Palermo.

The message should be loud and clear: Violence and unruly behaviour has no room in our football. If it takes ordering a team to play the entire season in a closed stadium, so be it.

God knows, insecurity has scared away so many potential fans and sponsors from the beautiful game.