Gor Mahia free to sign players after FIFA lifts ban

It is a sigh of relief to Gor Mahia after World football governing body FIFA today cleared them and lifted the three-transfer window ban pronounced on Wednesday.

The reigning Kenyan Premier League champions were slapped with a ban after handlers to former player Adama Keita lodged a complaint claiming the club is yet to clear the money owed to the player.

In a quick response to FIFA to clear the club's name and put things right, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier sent all evidence of payments confirming they cleared all the money owed to the player.

"We were surprised to receive a letter from FIFA informing us of a ban on a case we had cleared as instructed. We responded with all evidence to show we had paid the player in full and its good we have been cleared," noted Rachier. 

In a letter to Gor Mahia, FIFA confirmed that Adama Keita received all amount due to him. 

"In this regard, we take note from the mentioned correspondence that the creditor has received the amount due by the respondent, the club Gor Mahia FC, in accordance with the decision passed by FIFA.

"As a consequence, we inform you that the present proceedings are closed and hence, the registration ban imposed has been lifted," read part of the letter sent to Gor Mahia.

Payment evidence seen by Citizen Digital shows that a total of 15,927 US dollars (Ksh2.3m) was paid to the player in three transactions in the month of February this year – being the balance of the total amount that included penalties and interests. 

The Malian goalkeeper who played for the local giants in 2021 was awarded Ksh4.4 million by FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber in the year 2022 after he filed a case citing K’Ogalo’s alleged breach of contract. 

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