News

Sofapaka, Harambee Stars striker could be sanctioned following absence

Friday, January 31st, 2020 00:00 | By
Sofapaka striker John Avire.

Sofapaka striker John Avire could be in hot soup after his club and local federation decided to escalate matters to world football governing body Fifa following a protracted battle since he went awol in July last year.

Avire, who played a key role for national team Harambee Stars during last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt that saw a number of big clubs in the continent seek his services, left the country in the company of controversial football agent Augustine Ramaita in disguise of being football fans going to watch the remaining bit of the continental showpiece, just to be spotted at Egypt’s second tier side Tanta FC a few days later.

The action led to the indefinite suspension of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chief Executive Officer Robert Muthomi who is believed to have authored the letter that facilitated the issuance of their visas.

The matter took a new twist this week when Tanta, through the Egyptian FA, twice applied for the players’ release letter, but their requests were turned down by FKF in both occasions.

“Avire is wasting his time in Egypt, he needs to come back and talk to us. His career at stake and he seems not to be seeing that,” said Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa.

He added: “The boy needs to be humble and talk to us because if he does not, then his career will go down the drain, it’s that simple.”

FKF president Nick Mwendwa confirmed that the local federation had in two occasions rejected the International Transfer Certificates (ITC) applications done by Tanta FC through the Egyptian Football Association and warned the Egyptian club against trying to use unorthodox means in trying to sign the player.

“Avire is a Sofapaka player and what Tanta FC and the Egyptian FA are doing is illegal and against the spirit of the sport. We have written to the FA about our concerns about the matter and warned Tanta against fielding the player in any match, because it would result to very severe punishment by the relevant football authorities,” Mwendwa said.

He added: “We have also lodged an official complain to Fifa about the entire issue and we hope the matter will be resolved soon so that Sofapaka don’t feel cheated.”

Avire’s contract with Sofapaka is expected to end in December 2020, but since he has been away for six months against the wishes of his employers, he together with the suiting club may be sanctioned.

“He cannot leave as a free agent at the end of his contract in December this year. He will have to honour his full contract and pay us damages,” Kalekwa said.

Meanwhile, Sofapaka yesterday added three more new signings just in time before the end of the January transfer window.

The trio are Nigerian duo of Sebastian Ikekhai and Promise Azuagba, both from Lagos Athetico FC and Ugandan Brian Kayanja from Bright Stars FC.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES News


ADVERTISEMENT