CAS rejects Kenya’s AWCON appeal for Starlets

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected Kenya’s appeal to have Harambee Starlets readmitted to the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations Finals in Ghana.

In its application for urgent provisional measures, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had sought to have Starlets included as the ninth team at the biennial continental showpiece.

In the event that their application incorporation was impossible, the federation had wanted the tournament stopped altogether until a ‘rightful decision’ had been made.

“The final decision by the President of the Appeals Division was to unfortunately reject our application for provisional measures, and we fully understand and respect the decision of the CAS.

“This, however, does not end the case. Our appeal against CAF is still open, and we will continue to fight for justice to be done in some way, to repair the harm that has been caused to our Starlets, and the people of our nation,” FKF said in a statement.

Kenya were left out of AWCON 2018 after CAF overturned a decision by its Disciplinary Council to disqualify Equatorial Guinea after they had fielded an ineligible player during their qualifying match.

Equatorial Guinea are currently on a FIFA suspension over the same matter and will not be eligible to participate at the 2019 Women’s World Cup even if they achieve the qualifying top three finish at AWCON.