Oh Lord! Take this curse away from us

The Kenyan Premier League will end on Saturday and the annoying habits that underline the game’s management in the country still remain unresolved.

We are only left to wonder why we are not crying in shame at the rigmarole we are subjected to by both the KPL and the local federation. As the funny episodes continue to be replayed over and over, some parents must be praying earnestly:

“Dear Lord, please don’t curse my son with a football talent in this country!”

We feel that loving father and we know he is trying to save his son from falling into the hands of the so called managers of the game.

The league is ending and yet some contentious matters have not been resolved; rules are made but there are many egos to be massaged first before they are implemented.

Match number 158 remains unresolved and the ping-pong between the bodies set up to resolve the issue is still gaining intensity.

AFC Leopards and Sony Sugar are still not sure of what comes next and yet we will have a photo finish to the league. The two teams shall play their remaining match when it no longer matters.

CHANGE OF VENUE

First, Leopards requested KPL to change the venue for their match against Sony. But KPL decided that the match, was Sony’s home game, be played in Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.

Sony did not like the new arrangement and the way it was done behind their backs; it smelled rather contrived and in bad taste.

Sony refused to travel to Nakuru but Ingwe went there in full force. The match aborted when Sony failed to show up and KPL awarded all three points to Leopards.

The decision did not go down well with Sony and they appealed to the IDCC seeking redress.

The case was heard and a lengthy and competent judgement was given to the effect that the match be played in Awendo.

KPL set a date for the match but this ruling was opposed by the FKF in a press release that stank of arrogance. They felt KPL’s initial decision had to be adhered to.

The matter was far from over and Leopards appealed to IDAC over the same issue. Their appeal was shot down on a technicality and KPL had to set another date for the match.

The federation stuck out its neck again and rubbished all these bodies set up to resolve disputes in the game. This emboldened some politicos turned football managers to act like despicable Members of County Assemblies.

They swore on TV that Ingwe will not honour the match and that the three points awarded to them from the outset must count.
SUPREMACY BATTLES
After taking enough of the big brother’s meddling, KPL met the federation on 31st October and issued a bold statement saying:

“We hereby write to confirm that Match No.158 between Sony Sugar and AFC Leopards has been rescheduled for Wednesday November 5, 2014 from 3pm and shall be played in Kisumu Moi Stadium due to the unavailability of Awendo Green Stadium.”

This is not the last we shall hear of this match and, as you read this piece, I’m sure that a voice somewhere is proclaiming:

“Behold, that match shall not be played!”

The federation has in the past meddled in every ruling made either by KPL or the independent disciplinary committees.

They overturned the decision to award the brewers three points when they played twelve men against Muhoroni; they disbanded the referees’ committee (which implements the laws of the game, appoint referees for matches and trains them).

These roles have now been assumed by the federation.

This battle for supremacy is expected to continue unabated next season and shall be the only agenda for the feuding football chiefs.

Football must take a back seat as the exponents of impunity do battle.