CLUB LICENSING PAIN: Why Sofapaka and Muhoroni failed to get crucial paper

Sofapaka Paul Odhiambo(L) and Mike Simiyu of Muhoroni Youth battle for ball possession during their KPL match at Ruaraka, Nairobi on Friday 21/10/16.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

As the Sports Dispute Tribunal sits tomorrow to determine the fate of Sofapaka and Muhoroni Youth in the top-tier league, details have emerged on why the two teams were denied a licence.

According to Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa, the two clubs did not prove that they can afford to pay their players in the 2017 season.

In the case of Sofapaka, Mwendwa said the club had not proved they have any other source of income apart from the Sh8 million they get as grants from the Kenyan Premier League.

“Their total budget for the season is Sh60 million as presented to the licensing committee. When their accounts were looked at, it was discovered that the only money they had received last year was Sh8 million from KPL. No other money had come into that account.

“They failed to convince the committee where they will get the other Sh52 million to be able to meet their obligations,” he said.

He further pointed out that Sofapaka have had problems paying their players and still owed some of them money for last season something that the club has denied.

For Muhoroni the club presented a budget of Sh40 million for the 2017 season against an income of Sh8 million.

“The club chairman claimed he gets tenders from Muhoroni Sugar Company but there was no evidence of that. Furthermore, getting a tender is not enough. It is something you can have today and tomorrow you lose it,” said the FKF boss.

Like Sofapaka, he said Muhoroni Youth also have a history of not paying their players. The two clubs were given an opportunity to appeal against the decision to relegate them but did not succeed on this front as well.

They have filed a case at the SDT to have the decision reversed.

Last Friday the tribunal ruled that the two clubs together with KCB and Vihiga United be exccluded from the KPL fixtures until the matter is heard and determined.