Supersport switches off KPL: End of the road SuperSport ends over decade marriage with KPL

Supersport TV crew in action during a KPL match at City Stadium, Nairobi on Friday 31/07/15.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

South Africa’s satellite channel SuperSport International has pulled the plug on the broadcasting contract with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) due to breach of contract.

This comes barely a month after the multi-national broadcaster, who signed their first deal with KPL in 2008, failed to air the second and third round matches of the 2017 KPL season.

As per the satellite channel’s legal advisor Philip Seleke’s letter dated April 7 addressed to KPL CEO Jack Oguda, KPL lied to the broadcasters that they were the only body mandated by FIFA to run the top tier league in the country.

“You warranted to us contractually that the KPL is the only body recognised by Fifa to run, administer and be responsible for the administration of professional club football in Kenya, known as the Kenyan Premier League and any of its successor in the title, which warranty is directly contradicted by the relevant Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) and the views of FIFA,” read part of the letter.

“We submit, despite your section to the contrary, that ruling by the SDT subordinates your authority to run the Kenyan Premier League to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and therefore you have failed to and cannot in the future grant such warranty to us. You have furthermore not taken any steps to challenge that ruling.

“You are accordingly in breach of our Licensing Agreement and we must unfortunately herewith terminate our contractual relationship.”

However, according to SuperSport East Africa General Manager Auka Gecheo, the termination will not affect their GOtv Shield deal.

“SuperSport has cancelled its contract with the Kenyan Premier League following KPL’s breach of the Licence Agreement entered into by the parties.

The situation became untenable and it put SuperSport at risk therefore SuperSport has no option but to terminate the contract,” Gecheo told the Standard Sports.

“A formal notice of cancellation of the contract has been given and all the necessary procedures and steps are being put in place to manage the exit from this league.

The GOtv Shield contract is with the Federation and is not affected.”

Meanwhile, despite the setback, Kenyan Premier League matches will go on as scheduled and Gor Mahia will be in Nakuru to take on Kakamega Homeboyz.

The former champions will be keen to bounce back after last weekend’s disaster in Kisumu where Western Stima beat them 2-1 in their first lose of the season. The match was played in Kisumu.