KPL denounces FKF's decision to cancel the league

KPL decries FKF’s verdict to end season

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) have denounced Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) decision to cancel the 2019/20 season and declare Gor Mahia champions.

FKF president Nick Mwendwa yesterday took to his twitter account to crown K’Ogalo champions as well as announce Nairobi City Stars’ promotion back to KPL based on both league’s current standings.

The football season’s conclusion has been thrown into doubt owing to the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world,

The league, which was supposed to end on May 23 was suspended in March with Gor Mahia sitting at the top with less than ten round of matches to go.

But KPL whose mandate to run the league expires on September 24 2020, have said the decision on matters of the league can only be made by either the KPL Governing Council or the FKF-KPL Joint Executive Committee.

In a letter dated April 30 signed by KPL CEO Jack Oguda and addressed to FKF CEO Barry Otieno, Oguda stated that league managers will not be party to decisions that contravene the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) ruling on FKF-KPL Agreement on January 10, 2017.

“Reference is made to social media reports appearing with regards to a determination that FKF has eventually declared the KPL 2019/20 season cancelled and declared Gor Mahia FC champions that is in disregard to the contents of the letter dated 30th April, 2020 sent and delivered via email at 11:47am,” said Oguda.

“KPL, who have the legal mandate to run the league would wish to be furnished with the minutes of the meeting which deliberated upon the matter in question with the subsequent resolution already conveyed to the public by FKF.

He added: “For avoidance of doubt this is to bring to your attention that KPL will not be party to such decisions that is contemptuous with the SDT ruling delivered on the of 17th March, 2020 and sustained by the SDT further directions issued on 24th April, 2020.”

Bidco United who have been ‘promoted’ to KPL by virtue of being second on the NSL log, said they would only comment after receiving official communication.

“We will only comment on the matter after receiving an official communication from the federation,” said Bidco Africa Head Of Corporate PR and Communications John Lawrence.