Midweek fixtures postponed as StarTimes row rages
Barry Silah @obel_barry
The BetKing Kenya Premier League has for the second time in a week postponed four fixtures even as the stalemate over broadcast rights continues unabated.
Already the Zoo Kericho versus Mathare United fixture has been shelved to next week Wednesday due to the CAF Champions League Preliminary return match scheduled for this Saturday at Nyayo Stadium.
At the same time the Gor Mahia versus Ulinzi match has also been moved forward to next week.
Incidentally, the four teams have been embroiled in a tussle with the Football Kenya Federation over the controversial StarTimes broadcast deal which they have claimed is unfair to clubs.
Zoo FC, Mathare United ,Gor Mahia and Ulinzi bosses have been critical of the deal which they claimed was done under coercion and as such they would not be part of it.
The Leagues and Competitions department of the FKF Premier League has already written to the said clubs regarding postponement of the same even as other teams prepare for round two of action.
Mathare United chairman Bob Munro said his team was ready to play despite being against the broadcast deal.
“There is no premiership without Mathare United. As far as we know we are still in it. However the bone of contention is our dissatisfaction with the rushed endorsement.
I am surprised that our match today was postponed without due process yet we were prepared to play.”
FKF Premier League Manager David Thiru through a correspondence to the three clubs seen by People Sport stated: “The Federation wishes to remind you of your obligation as provided for under Article 14 (p) 19,79,81 (1)(2)(3) and 82 of the FKF (2017) constitution and the need to respect the same.”
With the push and pull, it is not exactly clear what repercussions the clubs will face aside from the match backlog.
FKF President Nick Mwendwa had earlier warned that any dissenting club could be left out because of time constraints and interference of match schedules.
