Leopards turn to tribunal to halt FKF from handing title to Gor

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has vowed to move to the Sports Disputes Tribunal seeking to stop Football Kenya Federation (FKF) from handing over the 2019/20 Kenyan Premier League title to Gor Mahia FC.

That decision was sparked by an announcement early Thursday by the federation that it would end the current league season and award Gor – who were leaders before it was suspended – the title.

A bemused Shikanda slammed the FKF president Nick Mwendwa for the move while questioning his mandate to do so as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have yet to issue a directive on its leagues that were halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Gor had a seven-point advantage at the top of the KPL table before it was suspended mid-March following a government directive that banned public gatherings.

“What is the hurry for?” We are consulting and in the few days we will take the next step. Champions are declared on the pitch, if not then the league should be voided,” Shikanda said.

The former Leopards and Gor player has also added that if FKF is going by the below 75% matches honored which is the mid league factor, then Tusker should be named champions.

“It is not fair and this is a plan to bring us at loggerheads with our brothers and we know the reason why they (FKF) are doing this.

If that is the reason then also declare the FKF cup champions”.

According to Mwendwa, CAF has given them till Tuesday next week to forward the name of the club to play in CAF champions league.

But as per the KPL body through a letter by the Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda, CAF asked for the details of how far our league had gone before Covid-19 pandemic and that it FKF should have consulted the league body on the matter.

“Ending the league can only be considered as a solution if there has been such a directive from CAF to all its members for the Leagues to end by a certain date. Since CAF has not concluded its own club competitions it therefore makes no sense at all to insinuate that CAF is rushing its members to end their seasons.

“Should such a directive come from CAF, KPL will exercise its mandate to give the way forward to FKF on the fate of the league after convening a Governing Council meeting,” it stated.