Shollei reinstated at FKF, but rules out resuming office
The Sports Disputes Tribunal yesterday lifted the blanket ban slapped on football administrator Sam Shollei by Football Kenyan Federation and also reinstated him in his position as the organisation’s vice-chairman.
Shollei was elected as FKF’s vice- chairman in the all-inclusive stakeholders football elections held in October 2011 and was to deputise FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya on a four-year mandate.
However, his stay at the FKF leadership was not to last as he was suspended in 2012 alongside Dan Shikanda, who was elected as the federation’s Nairobi branch chairman.
Shollei, a former footballer with Tusker, then lodged an appeal with the Tribunal through his lawyer Roland Oyieko while Shikanda did not.
And after months of reading through the documents by both parties, the John Ohaga chaired tribunal gave the verdict in his favour.
“While the Tribunal is prepared to find that the federation had a legitimate interest in undertaking disciplinary measures against Mr. Shollei, the manner in which it went about undertaking these measures was defective.
“The plaintiff was not afforded a proper opportunity to put forward his case and was in effect subjected to a lynching by the federation,” the tribunal ruled.
The matter will now come up for review during FKF’ AGM set for August 28.
Speaking to Nairobi News in response to the verdict, an elated Shollei said: “I’m happy .It went well as expected. When you have a tribunal with people of integrity like Ohaga (John) justice is bound to prevail.”
He added: “The ruling was fair because my suspension was flawed…It (the ruling) means a lot to me.”
Asked if he will assume his office at the federation, he said: “There is nothing I will go to do in that office for three months. I’m just waiting for election rules to see whether to vie.”