Mombasa United refuse to shift position on promotion/relegation playoff
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 15.06.26. | 09:31
The latest developments follow a High Court conservatory order obtained in a case challenging the application of the revised 2025 regulations
The ongoing dispute over promotion and relegation in Kenyan football has taken another twist, with Mombasa United maintaining that they have already secured promotion to the FKF Premier League and will not take part in any promotion/relegation playoff.
The National Super League side, which finished third this season, insists it is preparing for life in the top tier despite the legal battles surrounding the implementation of FKF's promotion and relegation regulations.
The uncertainty stems from rulings by both the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) and the High Court, which have temporarily stopped the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) from implementing the revised 2025 Rules and Regulations governing promotion and relegation.
Under the disputed regulations, three teams would be automatically promoted from the National Super League while three FKF Premier League clubs would be relegated.
However, the legality of the 2025 rules has been challenged on grounds that they were allegedly introduced after the season had already commenced and were never ratified by the FKF General Assembly, as required under the federation's constitution.
Despite the ongoing court process, Mombasa United chairman Abdirahman Hussein says the club considers itself promoted and has no intention of participating in a playoff.
"We are preparing for life in the Kenyan Premier League. In fact, we are bringing in a foreign coach to oversee recruitment and preparations because we want to compete in the Premier League next season," Hussein said.
He further revealed that the club had sought clarification from FKF on several occasions during the season and was consistently informed that there would be no playoff.
"We have inquired several times about the promotion issue and each time we were told there would be no playoff. Now that the season has ended, we are seeing a change in tone. We are not going to accept that," he stated.
Hussein maintained that Mombasa United earned promotion under the framework communicated to clubs during the campaign and warned that the club is prepared to seek legal redress should a playoff be introduced.
"If a playoff is imposed, we will go to court to defend our rights. We are not going to take this lightly. We believe we have been promoted and that position must be respected," he added.
The latest developments follow a High Court conservatory order obtained in a case challenging the application of the revised 2025 regulations.
The court barred FKF from implementing or relying on the contested rules in matters relating to promotion, relegation and the constitution of competitions for the 2026/27 season pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The ruling came after the Sports Disputes Tribunal had also issued orders restraining FKF from enforcing direct promotion and relegation under the disputed regulations, further complicating the situation as clubs await a final determination on the matter.
For now, Mombasa United remain adamant that they have secured promotion and insist they will not be drawn into any playoff, even as the legal battle over the structure of next season's leagues continues.
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