B. OsanoFKFPL season to kick-off despite Sports Disputes Tribunal ruling
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 17.11.22. | 08:00
Court gave orders to halt promotion and relegations until case challenging FKF decision is heard and determined.
Only teams affected by the Sports Dispute Tribunal, SDT stay order on relegations and promotions will not feature in the opening round of the much awaited 2022-23 Football Kenya Federation, FKF Premier League season starting this weekend. The teams are Mathare United and Vihiga Bullets, who were scheduled to play Posta Rangers and Wazito FC respectively.
"Please be advised that all other FKF PL matches which have not been affected by the order will TAKE PLACE as scheduled," a communication from the FKF to KPL clubs, which emerged late on Wednesday night, reads.
Gor Mahia FC players and officials, today held a session with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Head of Integrity Michael Kamure.
— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) November 16, 2022
The Federation is holding sessions with FKF PL teams and officials in an awareness campaign for a clean sport. pic.twitter.com/veKlUlVkkI
Earlier, the judge John Ohaga-led tribunal granted interim orders staying the FKF National Executive Committee, NEC recent no relegations/promotions decision from the disputed 2021-22 season after scrapping it.
It followed an application before the judicial body by APS Bomet FC and Kona Rangers that sought to reverse the FKF NEC move to quash the 2021-23 football season and freeze relegations and promotions. Bomet won the National Super League, NSL and were promoted to the top tier, while Kona Rangers were due to feature in the NSL.
✍🏾 𝐊𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐈 𝐈𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐋𝐈 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐁𝐀
— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) November 16, 2022
🗞️ The utility forward joins from 3rd tier Kangemi All Stars all pumped up for the new 2022/2023 FKF PL
Karibu Etemesi🦁#SimbaWaNairobi pic.twitter.com/AqzW6QJjju
"An interim order of injunction be and is hereby issued staying the decision by the Football Kenya Federation National Executive Committee on promotions and relegations, pending the full hearing and determination of this Application," the Tribunal ordered.
The clubs were, however, unable to stop the commencement of the new season, pending hearing and determination of their application, as they had prayed.
FKF says league to start as scheduled.... matches affected by SDT order postponed. pic.twitter.com/8c2xZ0IJkM
— Tony Anelka (@tonyanelka) November 17, 2022
The NEC last week voided the 2021-23 FKFPL, NSL, Women Premier League, Men's Division One and Women's Division One leagues, which were overseen by the FKF Caretaker/Transition Committee. The Tribunal had previously ruled that the leagues were run without the FKF judicial bodies, and in disregard to the FKF constitution.
The season also concluded at a time FKF is serving an indefinite FIFA suspension from all football activities over third party interference. Tusker FC, who were declared the winners of the FKFPL did not represent the country in continental football. The suspension is expected to be lifted this week, after the government fully complied with the FIFA demands to reinstate the previous FKF NEC led by Nick Mwendwa that was handed out of office in November last year.
