FKF, KPL have ‘two days to talk’
What you need to know:
- Lady Justice Aburili said that in the absence of an agreement, the court will begin handling the matter beginning with an application by two former football officials, Sammy Toyoi Shollei and Daniel Shikanda, who are seeking to be enjoined in the case as interested parties.
- Mr Justice Msagha had granted the orders in an application filed by FKF who alleged that KPL, Kenya Football Referees Association (KFRA) and Sports Kenya, had approved a parallel premier league.
- On Tuesday FKF through lawyer Eric Mutua urged the court to give priority to their contempt of court application, which they have filed against KPL officials.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Kenyan Premier League Limited (KPL) have been given two days to settle their dispute regarding the structure and composition of the top-flight competition.
Lady Justice Roselyn Aburili on Tuesday directed the lawyers representing the two factions to try an out of court settlement in the dispute and report back the progress of the negotiations on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the orders issued by Mr Justice Mbogholi Msagha on February 20, stopping league matches, were also extended till Thursday.
Lady Justice Aburili said that in the absence of an agreement, the court will begin handling the matter beginning with an application by two former football officials, Sammy Toyoi Shollei and Daniel Shikanda, who are seeking to be enjoined in the case as interested parties.
REPORT TO COURT
“The parties are implored to discuss this matter amicably and report to court on the progress on March 5. In the absence of any form of agreement, the application by the proposed interested parties will be heard on that date and thereafter other pending applications shall be heard,” said Lady Justice Aburili.
Mr Justice Msagha had granted the orders in an application filed by FKF who alleged that KPL, Kenya Football Referees Association (KFRA) and Sports Kenya, had approved a parallel premier league.
“The World football governing body Fifa has warned that if Kenya runs a parallel league, the country shall be banned from participating in regional, continental and international football,” FKF had said in their court papers.
Seven KPL games were however played, despite the existence of the said court orders.
Two FKF league matches were also played. KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier filed a separate application on February 23, seeking to have the said orders set aside.
Mr Rachier argued that the Fifa Statute, Caf Statute and the constitution of the FKF, do not allow the said dispute to be heard and determined in court.
On Tuesday FKF through lawyer Eric Mutua urged the court to give priority to their contempt of court application, which they have filed against KPL officials.
CONTEMPT OF COURT
Among those cited for contempt of court are KPL executive committee members who include Jack Oguda (KPL CEO), Mr Rachier, Allan Kasavuli (AFC Leopards Chairman), Robert Donald Munro (Mathare United Chairman).
Others are James Musyoki (Tusker chairman), Colonel Juma Mwinyikai (Ulinzi Stars chairman), Elio Lolli (Thiak United chairman) and Elly Kalekwa (Sofapaka chairman). The said officials risk civil jail for a term of up to six months or fine, for disobeying a court order.
Lady Justice Aburili said that the contempt of court application will be heard after the application of Mr Shollei and Mr Shikanda has been determined.
