FKF ordered to pay Amrouche Sh108 million

Former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche during their Cup of Nation Qualifier match against Comoros at Nyayo stadium, Nairobi on 18-05-2015 [PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO]

Former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche has been awarded Sh108 million for wrongful dismissal by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) made the award last week after throwing out an appeal by the federation.

The Belgian has earlier been awarded Sh60 million by the world governing body Fifa’s player status committee in 2018.

Amrouche had demanded Sh132 million and an additional Sh5 million compensation for wrongful dismissal.

The matter ended up in CAS when both Amrouche and FKF appealed against the ruling with the coach demanding for more while the federation fought for a reduction of the fine.

FKF President Nick Mwendwa confirmed the award and said they have until October 19 to pay up.

“The court has awarded Amrouche Sh86 million and another Sh22 million as costs. We have to pay by October 19 or we face further sanctions from world governing body Fifa.”

Kenya could be kicked out of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers or risk losing its development fund from Fifa.

Mwendwa blamed his predecessor Sam Nyamweya for signing a contract with Amrouche that favoured the coach in case of disagreement.

“It was a bad contract and we will ask the Ministry of Sports to help us pay it up as we do not have that kind of money.”

Amrouche appealed his sacking by the former FKF regime led by Nyamweya.

Nyamweya took action against Amrouche after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) suspended the coach for one year. The Belgian was suspended by the continental body for allegedly spitting on the match referee during an away Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros.

But Amrouche managed to appeal after a few months and had the ban lifted by CAF.

It was then that he decided to appeal to Fifa for wrongful dismissal.

Amrouche was appointed Harambee Stars head coach in 2013 and helped them win the Senior Challenge Cup the same year.

However, he failed in his bid to take the team to the Africa Cup of Nations finals on two occasions.

By the time he was sacked he had just signed a new five-year deal.

Before coming to Nairobi, Amrouche was head coach of Burundi national team.

After his sacking, Amrouche handled a few clubs and is now head coach of Botswana national team, a post he was appointed to in August for a period of three years.