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Football crisis looms after Nyamweya wins court battle with Mwendwa


Kenyan football is facing yet another crisis after the High Court issued an order restraining the football federation from from imposing new regulations in the management of the league.

The High Court ruling also ordered for the the top-flight football competition to be reverted to its original format of 16 clubs as well as nullifying club licensing rules introduced recently.

In High Court Judge Justice John Mativo’s ruling, FKF President Nick Mwendwa and CEO Robert Muthomi – who were both sued in this case filed by former FKF boss Sam Nyamweya in March – were ordered to desist from interfering with the affairs of the Kenya Premier League Limited.

“A declaration is hereby issued that KPL shall have a maximum of 16 teams during the 2017 season which qualified for sporting merit on the field during the 2016 season,” the judge said in his ruling.

CHAOS AND DISUNITY

Justice Mativo also termed as ” irregular and unconstitutional” the introduction and adoption of the FKF club licensing regulations.

He said that unilateral actions by the federation chairman will bring chaos and disunity in Kenyan football and degrade the extensive strides that have been achieved.

“Justice has finally been served. We should always follow the law or risk undoing the many gains made during my tenure as FKF president. Already, (PAY-TV channel) SuperSport cancelled the contract and the clubs are suffering,” Nyamweya said after the order was issued.

Meanwhile, Mwendwa termed the judgement as a political ruling that has already been overtaken by events.

“We shall appeal it. I’m sure the clubs will also appeal,” he said.

Should the order be enforced, Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt, who finished third and fourth in the second-tier last year before being promoted to the top league, will be demoted to the second-tier competition.