Tribunal ready to move in if KPL, FKF stalemate persists

The Sports Disputes Tribunal has given feuding Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and Football Kenya Federation a Saturday deadline to resolve their stalemate over the composition of the 2017 top flight or the matter will go into a full hearing.

Consequently KPL Chief Executive Jack Oguda told Citizen Digital on Monday they will meet their federation counterparts in a bid to seek a lasting solution to the 16 versus 18 teams standoff that has simmered for the last two years before the deadline lapses.

With the 2016 KPL season over and only two weeks to the conclusion of the second-tier National Super League (NSL) the identity of the number clubs will be promoted/relegated is yet to be decided following the impasse.

KPL wants to retain the current 16 while FKF led by president Nick Mwendwa insists on expanding the top flight to 18.

“Last Thursday last week the Sports Disputes Tribunal met to discuss the way forward, and gave an ultimatum of December 2 for both parties to agree, failure to which they will proceed with the case. I can certainly say there will be a sitting before the deadline,” Oguda declared.

On November 12, the two sides hit a brick wall on the matter in a meeting convened by the federation at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani.

Besides blatantly rejecting the 18-team league, KPL refused to withdraw the case from SDT as requested by FKF and world governing body FIFA, presenting documents proving all 16 clubs in the top league are shareholders of the company contrary to the four presented by the federation.

At the time, Mwendwa said a solution would be thrashed out in a fortnight and the period has elapsed.

Oguda is however, confident a solution will be found early enough to avoid inconveniencing the teams in planning for next season.

“We should find solution in the meeting but even if we don’t, the SDT will move fast to rule on the way forward. They are aware of the need to settle the case in time therefore, there should be no anxiety,” Ogoda added.

Citizen Digital could not reach Mwendwa for comment.

NSL runaway leaders Nzoia United FC have already sealed what would be an automatic promotion spot, while Kariobangi Sharks, Nakumatt FC, Zoo Kericho, and KCB are fighting to finish second.

Should the 18 team format be adopted, the next matter to be decided is how many teams would go up or down.

In the 2014 stalemate, KPL did not relegate any team with Nairobi City Stars and Ushuru FC occupying the bottom two places in the 2016 top flight in that order to be relegated under current terms.