Stalemate as FKF, KPL joint talks are adjourned to Saturday

The Joint Executive Committee formed by the Football Kenya Federation and Kenyan Premier League Limited to discuss the expansion of the top flight from 16 to 18 teams adjourned talks until Saturday after failing to find a breakthrough.

Speaking to Citizen Digital shortly after the discussions were deferred late Friday morning, immediate former KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier added a smaller committee would meet at Kasarani to continue with the deliberations.

“The JEC will be reduced to a smaller committee as discussions progress tomorrow (Saturday). We have tackled critical matters including the 18 and 16 teams but we have not agreed conclusively.

“And that’s why we shall continue and (Bob) Munro will represent me in tomorrow’s meeting. We have not touched on the the issue of clubs relegated on grounds of licensing since individual clubs have a bigger part to play in that matter. We are not at war with the federation, that should be clear to everyone,” the Gor Mahia FC chairman declared.

President, Nick Mwendwa, Vice-president Doris Petra and Executive Committee Member Chris Amimo were chosen by the federation to sit in the JEC while KPL roped in founder and Mathare United chairman Munro, chairman James Musyoki and his predecessor,  Rachier for the talks.

During the reading of the public ruling in a case brought by KPL against the federation opposing the expansion earlier this week, the Sports Dispute Tribunal directed the feuding parties to return with a decision from the JEC before close of business on Monday.

“We will not delay in the discussions because we were given until Tuesday by SDT to have concluded talks which we shall do,” Rachier affirmed.

The meeting started an hour earlier than stated with members of the JEC arriving at the venue as early as 7:45am local time (+3GMT).

FKF Communications Director Barry Otieno told assembled journalists as the closed-door discussion went on that an order was issued that no media should access the boardroom where the meeting took place.

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