League body writes to CAF after Mwendwa declared Gor the champions

Boniface Omondi (L) of Gor Mahia FC challenge Elvis Rupia of AFC Leopards SC during their Kenyan Premier League match dubbed Mashemeji Derby at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi on March 08, 2020. Photo[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

KPL: Federation ignored the directive by CAF on leagues 

Did Football Kenya Federation (FKF) deliberately ignore parts of Confederation of African Football (CAF) circular dated April 26 to purportedly cancel the Kenyan Premier League season and declare Gor Mahia champions?

Standard Sports has obtained the CAF circular attributed to its acting general secretary Abdelmounaim Bah and, which Nick Mwendwa used to ‘coronate’ Gor Mahia while relegating and promoting some teams via Twitter citing urgent CAF deadlines.

We have also obtained an audio recording of Bah saying that Caf had not asked Member Associations to submit winners of respective domestic competitions.

The ignored segments of the CAF circular state: “Once we determine the date we are able to resume footballing activities, we would advise you when the leagues must be completed and concessions that would be made with regards to names submission, player registration and date next season will commence.”

The continental body said they, too, were monitoring the Covid-19 situation and inquired from all its 55 members associations what the situation was like in their territories.

The circular reads: “In view of the current circumstances, we would like to enquire about the current situation of your national leagues /national cup (ranking, number of pending matches etc…) as well as the strategies you intend to apply to finalise those competitions be it through completion or annulment.”

The continental body wrote: “We would appreciate receiving a reply by the 5th of May 2020, in order to enable us to design a plan for the organisation of our inter-club competitions during next season.”

After Mwendwa’s tweet on April 30 at 12:28pm, FKF CEO Barry Otieno followed up with an official letter at 6:32pm the same day.

The letter cited the Covid-19 situation in Kenya and the government banning of all public gatherings of more than 15 individuals as reasons for cancellation of the season. The letter also cited the indefinite closure of all stadiums which it said: “Made it untenable to conclude the 2019/2020 league season in time for the kickoff of the 2020/2021 season.”

According to the KPL, even if the rules were to apply, FKF must also take cognisance of Article 2.3.3 which says: “The FKF National Executive Committee has the power to suspend or extend the season as it shall deem fit.”

But KPL CEO Jack Oguda said. “This important body, the NEC, does not exist as per the SDT ruling on March 17. If it does, let the said NEC and the League and Competitions Committee furnish us with the minutes of their meeting that approved the purported decision.” 

KPL has since written to CAF protesting the decision.