NAIROBI, July 6, 2008 (AFP) - Kenya's Olympic bronze steeplechase medallist Sunday accused reigning Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi of foul play in weekend trials and demanded he be disqualified.

Paul Kipsiele Koech, who failed to qualify for next month's Beijing Olympics, accused 26-year-old Kemboi of stepping on him in the final rounds of Saturday's race in Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium.

'At the final 200m bend, I told him not to step on me. But since he was jumping at the edge of the (water) hurdle, he stepped on me,' said Koech, who was shown in television footage raising his hand in protest.

Koech, who finished fourth, further claimed Kemboi pushed him to recover from a near-fall.

'He should be disqualified because he has already broken the rules. Athletics Kenya (AK) are the one to take action,' he added.

AK chief David Okeyo said he would issue a statement after reviewing the footage.

Local media reported that track coaches were studying Kemboi's style of jumping barriers, warning that he could be disqualified if he fails to ammend it.

Footages showed the champion jumping outside the edge of the water barrier, with others saying it amounted to unfair advantage and would certainly be rejected in Beijing.

As it stand Kenya 3000m steeplechase team will be made up of Kemboi, Olympic silver medallist Brimin Kipruto and African champion Richard Mateelong.

Koech is on standby in the event Kemboi is disqualified.

The 3000m steeplechase is the only event that Kenyans have mantained a 1-2-3 winning streak in previous Olympics.