Get out of Zuku deal of forfeit league slot, KPL orders AFC

By Gilbert Wandera

AFC Leopards and Kenyan Premier League (KPL) are headed for a major battle following an ultimatum issued by the latter to the club to terminate  their television deal with Zuku Sports.

KPL has given AFC a June 24 5pm deadline to terminate the deal or be suspended from the league. But AFC said they will go to court and force a suspension of the KPL warning until the matter is determined.

Leopards were given the ultimatum after an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the KPL held yesterday at Panari Hotel.

KPL chairman, James Musyoki, at the same time, said the stand-off between Leopards and broadcast rights holders SuperSport has already begun affecting all clubs as the latter has withheld their grants for this quota.

“For this reason, we are asking Leopards to immediately terminate the deal by Monday, June 24 at 5pm and do the same in writing, failure to which we will suspend them from the league without any further warning,” said Musyoki.

Musyoki said the deal between AFC and Zuku was an infringement on a deal between the company and SuperSport as this does not allow for secondary partners.

“Our deal with SuperSport is binding on all the 16 clubs and does not allow such agreements as entered into between Leopards and Zuku. Our lawyers have told Leopards as much, but despite their assurances, they are yet to terminate the deal.

“As a result, all the clubs are suffering because SuperSport have withheld their grant for the six months remaining and this has put most of us in a financial crisis,” said Musyoki.

But in a rejoinder, Leopards vice-chairman Walter Onyino said they will not terminate the deal and are willing to go to court to determine the matter.

“We had agreed with KPL that the matter be referred to our disciplinary committee because this is an independent body,” he said.