Ex-allies part ways

by Gilbert Wandera

The parting of ways between former allies in Football Kenya Limited (FKL) and Kenyan Premier League (KPL) seemed inevitable when the former dismissed a decision by the latter to suspend co-operation with them.

FKL chief Mohamed Hatimy

Speaking after FKL’s extra-ordinary meeting of the company on Wednesday, FKL chairman, Mohammed Hatimy, said the league company is an affiliate like any other and had a right to take whatever action it deems fit.

"KPL are just one of the affiliates and it is within their right to suspend co-operation with us," said Hatimy as he read resolutions of the meeting.

But Hatimy warned that KPL is likely to suffer serious consequences for their action since FKL is the only recognised body running football in the country and has the mandate to enter the winners of the league in next year’s continental football competitions.

A source who attended the meeting said the FKL also made it clear to KPL that it has to rescind the decision to withdraw co-operation or they form another body to run the league.

"We have sent them a letter asking them to reconsider their move or FKL forms another body to run the league," said the source who requested not t be named.

"Most officials felt that KPL does not respect Football and we should just go ahead and form another company to run the league," said the source.

Bob Munro, an influential member of KPL, told the Press last weekend they had suspended co-operation with FKL, saying the move came after they reached a dead end.

"We should have done this much earlier, but Fifa always persuaded us to extend our deadlines. We can’t give another deadline," he said.

Bob Munro. Photos: file/standard

Audited accounts

Regarding the condition given by KPL to be refunded Sh5million they used to finance the national team last year, Hatimy said they are ready to do that. But he insisted that KPL must first make public audited accounts of all funds they received last year on behalf of Harambee Stars. He said the world ruling body Fifa has demanded the accounts be made public.

On Wednesday meeting came just two days after KPL announced it was suspending co-operation with FK until the company fulfills five conditions it has set out.

The conditions include publishing books of accounts, releasing a comprehensive programme for the national team, repaying KPL Sh5million it used to manage the national team last year as well as change of the FK statutes.

KPL also wants Aziz Mohammed to be removed as chairman of the referees committee, accusing him of not playing to the rules in the recent Fifa’s Cooper Test. Hatimy did not comment on the Aziz issue.

Meanwhile, KPL Technical Adviser GMT Ottieno says Chemelil Sugar, whose ground was suspended from hosting league matches, failed to listen to his warnings.

Ottieno said he had on several occasions told Chemelil officials to take specific action to make the venue secure but this was ignored.

 

 

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