Gor, Leopards snub PL derby opting for a friendly

The highly billed Kenyan Premier League match pitting Gor Mahia and rivals AFC Leopards is off, with the two clubs opting for a friendly at the Camp Toyoyo Grounds.

The match, christened Mashemeji Derby, was set to take place at the Thika Stadium, but the clubs are currently at the Toyoyo playing a friendly instead.

Leopards and Gor did not attend the pre-match meeting at the Thika Stadium Saturday morning, according to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Communications Manager Ken Okaka.

“All the other parties are on the ground ready for the match. The broadcast teams, both for TV and radio are already at the Thika Stadium. Gor and AFC however did not show up for the pre-match meeting,” said Okaka.

Leopards and Gor are boycotting the Premier League match as FKF has failed to pay them Cup grants, the two having played in the domestic cup final earlier in the month which the latter won.

The two clubs had given the federation an ultimatum to pay the prize monies by Friday 4:00pm, or they skip the derby.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno had warned the clubs that boycotting the match would attract heavy penalties.

“The rules are very clear, communication seeking postponement of matches for any reason should be made at least 72 hours before the planned kickoff, which they did not do. We (FKF) had also written to all the semi-finalist of the FKF Cup indicating there would be delay to pay, at least up to August 5. It is therefore honest to say they are boycotting the match on those grounds,” he said.

This is the first time in Kenya’s Premier League history the two biggest clubs are boycotting a match for non-payment reasons by the federation.