Mathare United, Zoo FC suspended from FKF-PL

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has suspended Mathare United and Zoo FC from the top-flight league following a National Executive Committee meeting in Nairobi, the national body said on Wednesday.

According to FKF president Nick Mwendwa the two clubs have been given 48 hours to sign the StarTimes endorsement deal in order for them to be included in the next FKF-Premier League fixtures.

He said failure to do that will lead to their expulsion from the top tier league which enters its third week this weekend.

“We have been very patient with the two clubs and done our best to convince them to meet their obligations in order to preserve the commercial rights of the league.

“While the other clubs have given us their endorsements, the two have declined to do so as the league enters match day three. The league cannot continue without the two clubs meeting their obligations”

The two clubs have until Friday 11 December, 5pm to sign the endorsement, failure to which the matter will be referred to the federation’s General Congress, in February 2021.

Another club Ulinzi Stars were given until Monday, 14 December, to also send their endorsement, failure to which they will be suspended from the top league.

“The NEC considered the case of Ulinzi and noted that being a military team, they require certain processes to be followed. In that regard, we have given them until Monday at 5p.m to sign the endorsement.

“Failure to do that will result in them being suspended from the top league,” added the FKF president.
He assured players from the three teams that they will be accorded a provisional window of 15 days to sign for other clubs, should their clubs fail to meet their respective deadlines.

At the same time, the FKF president said disciplinary proceedings will be opened against Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier for bringing the game into disrepute.

Rachier wrote a letter to StarTimes withdrawing a letter the club’s Secretary General had written to FKF endorsing the broadcast deal.