KPL NOW CORNERED: FKF takes over judicial duties and orders league body to change name to FKF Premier League next season

The national football association yesterday moved closer to taking over the management of the top league by announcing that it will adopt a new name - FKF Premier League - next season, as enshrined in its constitution.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) further announced that it will take over all the judicial bodies of the league.
The federation, which held an extra-ordinary executive meeting on Tuesday, also maintained that its decision to increase the number of teams from 16 to 18 next season is non-negotiable.
In a statement read to the media, FKF vice-chairman Robert Asembo said the move to change the name of the top league is in line with article 10 (1) of their statutes.

“In this regard, KPL is advised to institute a process of changing its name to FKF Premier League Limited, in compliance with the law before start of the 2015 season. Our position on the 18-team league is not negotiable. All we will do is dialogue on modalities for implementation including seek financial interventions to fill whatever gaps may arise,” said Asembo.

Regarding the judicial bodies, he said it is necessary for FKF to take them back and assume their rightful role as the governing body for football in the country.

This means doing away with KPL’s Independent and Appeals Committee (IDAC), which was always the first point of resolving disputes between clubs.

It also means KPL will no longer be involved in appointing referees as has been happening before.

In another land-mark announcement, FKF announced it will henceforth be involved in all contracts and commercial engagements concerning clubs who are its members.

This in essence means the federation will want to be involved in negotiating for a new broadcast rights deal between KPL and SuperSport.

The first part of the negotiations has already started after five KPL officials visited South Africa last week.

Asembo said the new requirement in is line with Article 78 and 79 of its constitution.

“This includes, but not limited to, sponsorship deals for clubs in Football Kenya Premier League, Football Kenya Super League and all other leagues,” he said.

He emphasised that all clubs have until December 15 to register as members of the federation failure to which they will not be allowed to take part in their activities next season.

“The directive also applies to all formations that touch on football management, including players, coaches and referees’ associations,” he revealed.

He also announced that next year’s super league shall consist of 28 teams divided into two zones of 14 each.

Lastly, the federation seemed to take the war to KPL’s doorstep by announcing that it will conduct a forensic analysis of KPL accounts for the last five years.

“This is not necessarily a move to unearth misappropriation of funds but a measure to establish sanctity of financial operations and probity in handling of resources for benefit of the game, especially players through clubs. This may include a lifestyle audit of staffers at KPL Secretariat,” concluded Asembo.

Contacted for comment, KPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jack Oguda said he is not in a position to react as those are ‘grave’ directives that can only be addressed by the governing council.