Leopards sponsorship deals null and void, says Sports Tribunal

The Sports Disputes Tribunal on Tuesday annulled two sponsorship contracts signed by AFC Leopards officials and directed that any negotiation the club enters into with a strategic partner must have the nod of the tribunal.

In an interview with Daily Nation Sport Tuesday, lawyer John Ohaga, the tribunal’s chairman and chief mediator between two warring camps at Leopards, said neither faction could enter into a contractual agreement with another party without his approval as the club officials are acting on interim basis and on a delegated mandate from the tribunal.

Ohaga’s ruling came shortly after the Mathew Opwora-led camp unveiled a three-year sponsorship deal with betting firm betway. The function was however snubbed by the Dan Mule-led faction which has also signed a separate contract with another betting firm, SportPesa.

“I have been very clear with them. I do not want to micro-manage them, but if they are to make a major decision, they must refer back to me as the mediator,” Ohaga said.

“This is informed by where they are coming from (the wrangles). They had an issue on which bank account to run and under my guidance, they agreed.

“They were also aware that they needed my sanction (to sign any contract). They are not elected officials but an interim office working under the guidance of the tribunal before elections are held and whatever decision they undertook, did not have my approval and that is why they have two contracts. Had they consulted me, I would have guided them on what is best for the club. As things stand, both contracts are null and void. We’ll have to start afresh,” he said.

“I’m trying to avert any litigation and to initiate a commercial arrangement which will satisfy the team. When one sponsor goes to court, they will not be opening their purse strings. I’m trying to circumvent all these things to achieve a positive result.”

Betway’s partnership with Leopards would have seen the betting firm pump Sh30 million annually into the club for three years in return of having their brand name emblazoned on the club’s jersey. They were also to provide training kits to the team.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, betway’s representative Anthony Prissmann said: “I’m excited and happy to bring this to conclusion. Betway is very much involved in sports and football across the world. We’ve partnered with a club which has a lot of history and heritage. It’s about embracing sports and bringing the betway brand to Kenya.”

Arbitration of Sports Disputes

The Tribunal shall determine—

(a) Appeals against decisions made by national sports organisations or umbrella national sports organisations, whose rules specifically allow for appeals to be made to the Tribunal in relation to that issue including —

(i) appeals against disciplinary decisions;

(ii) appeals against not being selected for a Kenyan team or squad;

Jurisdiction of the Tribunal.

(b) Other sports-related disputes that all parties to the dispute agree to refer to the Tribunal and that the Tribunal agrees to hear; and

(c) Appeals from decisions of the Registrar under the Sports Act

The Tribunal may, in determining disputes apply alternative dispute resolution methods for sports disputes and provide expertise and assistance regarding alternative dispute resolution to the parties to a dispute.