FKF in eye of storm over transfer of top striker Avire

 

Striker John Avire [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Football Kenya Federation is facing a storm after its Secretary-General Robert Muthomi was accused of trying to sell a Sofapaka and Harambee Stars striker behind the club's back.

A letter, signed by Muthomi and addressed to Egyptian Embassy seeking striker John Avire be granted a visa to go watch the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, has infuriated Sofapaka, who have in turn written a protest letter to FKF President Nick Mwendwa.

Sofapaka's eyebrows were raised by the fact that Avire was seeking the visa as a fan alongside Augustine Ramaita, a renown player agent.

FKF admitted to have received the complaint from Sofapaka and have promised to investigate the matter.

“Sofapaka wrote to me and claiming Muthomi had a hand in the transfer of their player. We are investigating with a view of taking the matter to respective disciplinary bodies of the federation," said Mwendwa.

“In the meantime, we assure them that the player is not going anywhere. We will not issue a transfer certificate to anyone,” he said.

On Monday, Sofapaka made damning allegations against Muthomi, whom they accuse of trying to lure the player to join an unnamed Egyptian side.

Sofapaka boss Elly Kalekwa claimed Avire had tried to terminate his contract with the club.

“After Avire came back from Egypt where he took part in the Africa Cup of Nations,  he wrote us a letter terminating his contract alleging we have not paid him for three months," said Kalekwa.

Kalekwa took issue with a letter signed by the FKF official in which he asks the Egyptian Embassy to grant Avire and Augustine Ramaita visa to travel to Egypt.

“The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place from June 20 to July 20, 2019. In this regard, we request entry visas to be issued to Augustine Ramaita and John Avire, fans travelling to watch the remaining matches from July 15 to July 26, 2019," read part of the letter signed by Muthomi.

But in his defence, Muthomi insisted he did not try to sell the player but had only advised Avire to write a protest letter to Sofapaka, after he said the club had not paid him for three months.

“When we were in Egypt, Avire approached me claiming he had not been paid for three months. I told him to write to the club and copy the federation," said Muthomi.

“He did that and Sofapaka went ahead and deposited the money they owed him.”

Muthomi admitted his office authored the letter.

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