Kenya’s football fraternity has been sent into shock as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced the revocation of Gor Mahia FC’s club licensing certificate. The decision came after the club failed to comply with a crucial section of the men’s club licensing regulations, dealing a blow to their participation in upcoming competitions.
In a statement released to the media on Friday, the FKF expressed their disappointment in Gor Mahia FC’s failure to meet the necessary requirements. According to the regulations, any club applying for a license must prove that it has no overdue payables towards current and former employees as of 31st March in the year when the CAF club competitions commence. Unfortunately, Gor Mahia fell short of meeting this criterion.
The 20-time FKF Premier League champions had initially stated in their application that they had no overdue payables and had established agreements with former players Sando Yangayay and Adama Keita. However, the club failed to honor the agreed-upon timelines for payment, resulting in non-compliance with the licensing regulations.
The agreements signed between the club and the players outlined specific payment timelines and penalties. It is based on these agreements that Gor Mahia FC was granted a license to participate in the CAF men’s interclub competitions for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. The FKF’s decision to revoke the club’s license stemmed from their inability to meet the payment deadlines, as stated in the agreements.
The situation took a turn for the worse when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) intervened. On 18th July of this year, CAF notified Gor Mahia FC and the FKF about a complaint lodged by Sando Yangayay, who accused the club of failing to honor overdue payments. As a result, CAF suspended Gor Mahia’s participation in their interclub tournaments unless they settled the outstanding amounts owed to the Congolese finisher within 24 hours. Unfortunately, the club failed to comply with CAF’s directive, leading to the revocation of their licensing certificate.
The repercussions of this decision are significant for Gor Mahia FC and their passionate fanbase. Participation in CAF competitions not only helps to elevate the status and reputation of the club but also provides an opportunity for players to showcase their skills on the continent’s biggest stage. With their license revoked, Gor Mahia FC will miss out on the upcoming season’s CAF men’s interclub competitions, posing a severe setback for the team.
The revocation of Gor Mahia FC’s club licensing certificate raises questions about the club’s financial management and stability. Timely payments to players and staff are essential for the smooth functioning of any football club, and failure to meet these obligations can have serious consequences. It is crucial for clubs to adhere to the regulations set forth by governing bodies to ensure transparency, fairness, and sustainability.
While this incident comes as a blow to Gor Mahia FC, it also serves as a wake-up call for other clubs to prioritize financial responsibility and compliance with licensing regulations. The FKF’s decision should be seen as an opportunity for reflection and improvement within the broader framework of Kenyan football.
On July 18, 2023, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) took a strict stance against Gor Mahia and the FKF in response to a complaint filed by player Sando Yangayay. The complaint alleged that the club had failed to fulfill its financial obligations as stated in their agreement. CAF invalidated Gor Mahia’s license and suspended their participation in CAF’s interclub tournaments until the overdue payments were settled within a 24-hour period. In addition, CAF tasked FKF’s First Instance Board with investigating the breach and any other overdue payables.
This turn of events has dealt a significant blow to Gor Mahia, a club that has never managed to progress beyond the CAF Champions League preliminaries. Their failure to comply with CAF’s directives has led to Football Kenya Federation revoking their license and suspending them from the prestigious continental competition.
It is unfortunate that Gor Mahia was unable to honor the payments owed to the players or establish new agreements within the given CAF timelines. These deadlines were set with the upcoming CAF Champions League draw process in mind, which was scheduled to commence on Friday, July 21, 2023. Furthermore, the club was well aware of the obligations they had to fulfill during the licensing process.
The decision taken by CAF to nullify Gor Mahia’s license and suspend their participation in interclub tournaments serves as a clear message that financial integrity and honoring contractual agreements are of utmost importance in African football. CAF’s commitment to upholding these principles ensures a level playing field and promotes transparency within the sport.
The involvement of FKF’s First Instance Board in investigating the breach and overdue payables demonstrates the significance of independent decision-making bodies in ensuring fair play and accountability. By delegating this responsibility to an impartial entity, CAF and FKF are sending a strong message that irregularities and non-compliance will not be tolerated.
Gor Mahia’s suspension from the CAF Champions League should serve as a wake-up call for the club and the entire football fraternity in Kenya. It emphasizes the need for professional clubs to prioritize financial stability and adhere to contractual obligations. This incident highlights the importance of proper financial management and the implications of not following through on commitments.
Moving forward, it is essential for Gor Mahia and other Kenyan clubs to learn from this experience and prioritize financial prudence. It is crucial for clubs to establish robust financial structures and implement mechanisms to ensure prompt payment of players’ wages and other financial obligations. This will not only safeguard the reputation of the club but also enhance the credibility of Kenyan football on the continental stage.
Based on the information provided, the FKF First Instance Body was left with no choice but to make the difficult decision of revoking Gor Mahia’s license. This decision was made in accordance with Article 16 8(b) of the CAF Club licensing regulations, which stipulates that a license may be withdrawn if any of the conditions for its issuance are no longer met or if the licensee fails to fulfill its obligations under the club licensing regulations. These guidelines were followed and applied by the licensor’s decision-making bodies during this season. The statement further suggests that Gor Mahia has reportedly appealed this decision; however, these reports remain unconfirmed.
