Leopards refuse to play: Nyamweya says IDAC erred in ordering for AFC replay against Sony

Sony's Charles odette dribbles the ball past AFC's Michael Khamati during their KPL match at Nyayo stadium on 19-03-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO.

AFC Leopards will not honour their rescheduled Kenyan Premier League (KPL) fixture against Sony Sugar on Thursday at Awendo Green Stadium.

The club's decision, got a boost after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) backed Leopards' stand and ordered the match to be put off until a review of an appeal the club has launched is heard.

AFC Leopards chairman Alan Kasavuli and Secretary General George Aladwa told the media yesterday they are standing with the initial verdict by KPL to award them three points after Sony Sugar failed to show up for the match, which was to be played at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru in August.‎

"It is unfortunate that IDAC reversed the verdict on technical grounds yet they have failed to find Sony culpable of not attending the match as originally scheduled. Sony even failed to give a protest letter to KPL showing reasons as to why they did not attend the match," Kasavuli complained.

Kasavuli, who revealed that they sent their appeal to IDAC on time and paid the appeal fees (Sh100,000), went on to accuse the body of being partisan against Leopards.

"Previous injustices by our club have been ignored by KPL. We complained about our ill treatment by Muhoroni Youth but no action has been taken to date. Recently, we were accused without any evidence adduced of our fans having confiscated a banner of Mathare United and were promptly fined yet when we bring forth our complaints the decisions always go against us," said Kasavuli.

Aladwa accused unnamed officials at the league's management of conspiring to have Leopards relegated and vowed that they were ready to take on anyone trying to sabotage the club.

"We know that a few individuals at KPL are planning for the downfall of Leopards. But we assure them no boardroom decision will take Leopards to the relegation zone," vowed Aladwa.

"We want KPL to stand by their initial decision and grant us the three points failure to which we are ready to take the battle to the door step of Fifa. Nowhere in the world is a walkover given then overturned without due course," he charged.

With less than five games left to the end of the season Leopards sit uncomfortably in the bottom half of the 16-team league at position 12 with 32 points from 26 matches. Kasavuli reiterated that despite the league title being beyond them they are still determined to win their remaining fixtures and finish in the top eight

"We still have a lot to play for in the league. The players are motivated particularly as the season comes to a close," said Kasavuli.

In his statement FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya claimed the federations appeals committee had erred in ordering for a replay.

"The committee was given incomplete information by Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and therefore made the wrong decision.

"Furthermore, the purported inspection carried out by KPL is null and void as it did not involve us. Any such inspection must involve FKF.

"As it is, Awendo stands banned from hosting matches involving Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards," he said.