Dropped Gor ace seeks Sh2.3m compensation from club

Former Gor Mahia left back Maqbull Abdi Karim is seeking compensation of Sh2.3 million from the champions for prematurely terminating his four year contract in January.

To attain this, the 19-year-old has filed an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sports against K’Ogalo with respect to the Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT)’s ruling last month that dismissed his claim.

Maqubull joined Gor Mahia January last year on a four-year contract from Super Eight Premier league side Jericho AllStars but was never fielded frequently in competitive matches.

He was shortlisted for a loan stint at Wazito and later Modern Coast Rangers June last year but none materialized before the club terminated his contract only to seek legal advice at SDT last month through lawyer Elvis Majani’s firm, Wambilianga, Majani and Associates Advocates.

Gor was represented by Ezekiel Munyua of Rachier and Amollo advocates in the three-man SDT bench led by Chairman John Ohaga.

“At various loan clubs the claimant (Maqbull) was indisciplined and failed to perform which led to the loan clubs not retaining him,” read part of the tribunal’s ruling signed by Ohaga on November 20.

“Failure to attend training sessions or utilize his loan chances while disagreeing with the coaching staff and management, the tribunal finds fertile grounds upon which his contract was terminated,” it further read.

Majani argues the ruling was not satisfactory according to Fifa rules and regulations on termination of player contracts.

“I just filed an appeal brief at Cas today (Tuesday) which is a requirement to start the process,” said Majani, “We are winning this one,” added Majani who has previously succeeded in fighting for Kenyan players’ legal rights with various clubs.

CAS, who were paid approximately Sh102,000 as court fee by Maqbull’s lawyers, acknowledged receipt of the appeal last week before asking SDT to provide the unmarked copy of their ruling before hearing the case.

“If SDT intends to participate as a party in the present arbitration, it shall file with Cas an application to this effect,” Cas said in a letter signed by Managing Counsel Brent Nowicki.

According to Gor Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lordvick Aduda, they are certain that they parted ways with the player justly.

“He asked for his release letter and we served him immediately, we are not worried with his legal redress,” outlined Aduda.