Shape up or ship out
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) yesterday suspended 2008 league champions Mathare United and league side Zoo FC, from its top tier leagues.
The duo, whose respective owners Bob Munro and Ken Ochieng, have been declined to endorse a broadcast deal between the federation and StarTimes Kenya Limited have, however, been given a final chance until tomorrow 5pm to change their stance or the suspension be escalated to expulsion.
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier who also doubles up as the chairman of the defunct Kenyan Premier League (KPL), has been summoned to appear before the federation’s disciplinary committee ‘for bringing the game into disrepute.’
Rachier is accused of writing a letter to StarTimes withdrawing a letter drafted by the club’s Secretary General Sam Ocholla endorsing the broadcast deal.
The decisions were made yesterday after a lengthy FKF National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
“Mathare United and Zoo FC have 48 hours to sign the StarTimes endorsement deal in order for them to be included in the next league fixtures.
Failure to do that will lead to their expulsion from the top tier league which enters its third week this weekend,” Mwendwa told People Sport.
He added: “We have been very patient with the two clubs and done our best to convince them to meet their obligations in order to preserve the commercial rights of the league.
While the other clubs have given us their endorsements, the two have declined to do so as the league enters match day three.
The league cannot continue without the two clubs meeting their obligations.”
Mwendwa also gave 2010 champions Ulinzi Stars until Monday to avail their endorsement letter or they also face suspension.
It is believed that the top hierarchy in the military have ordered the team to endorse the deal and play in the new league, but there is still no official communication from the club chairman Eric Oloo who initially had reservations with the deal.
“The NEC considered the case of Ulinzi and noted that being a military team, they require certain processes to be followed.
In that regard, we have given them until Monday at 5pm to sign the endorsement. Failure to do that, will result to them being suspended from the top league as well,” Mwendwa said.
He said players of the three teams will be accorded a provisional window of 15 days to sign for other clubs, should their clubs fail to meet their respective deadlines.
