The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has stood firm on its decision to revoke the club licensing certificate of Kenyan Premier League giants, Gor Mahia FC.

The decision comes as a result of a payment dispute between the club and some of its former players.

Gor Mahia plea

Gor Mahia had lodged an appeal against the initial decision to revoke their license, with club Chairman Ambrose Rachier asserting that the club had settled the dues owed to the three players in question.

Rachier also provided payment slips as evidence to support the claim that the outstanding payments had been cleared.

However, the FKF First Instance Body (FIB), following guidance from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), maintained its stance on the matter.

According a statement by FKF, Article 60 of the CAF Men’s Club Licensing Regulations, clubs applying for a license must demonstrate that they have no overdue payables towards current and former employees as of March 31st, the year in which the CAF club competitions commence.

In response to a complaint raised by one of the former players, Sando Yangayay, regarding the club’s failure to honour overdue payments, CAF invalidated Gor Mahia’s license and suspended the club’s participation in CAF’s interclub tournaments. The club was given a 24-hour deadline to settle the outstanding amounts owed to the player.

FKF efforts

The FKF First Instance Body, in an effort to find an amicable resolution to the dispute, held a meeting with Gor Mahia’s top leadership to discuss the options available to resolve the matter.

However, the club was unable to meet the set deadlines for payment, leading to the painful decision to revoke their license.

The decision was guided by Article 16 8(b) of the CAF Club Licensing Regulations, which allows a license to be withdrawn if any of the conditions for issuance are no longer satisfied or if the licensee violates any of its obligations under the club licensing regulations.