Published on 29.02.2024
The world football governing body, FIFA, has imposed a transfer ban on Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia after the club failed to clear a debt owed to a former player.
The Zurich-based organisation brought its decision to light in a communique yesterday, noting that K’Ogalo is yet to honor an earlier pledge to offset a debt owed to Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita.
The player, who featured for the club in 2021, was initially awarded Sh4.4 million by FIFA’s DRC as compensation following a contractual breach.
Earlier in the year, the FIFA Disputes Resolution Chamber directed Gor Mahia to pay Keita $2,618 in accrued interest and a contractual penalty of $15,272 within 45 days.
“We refer to the above-mentioned matter as well as to the decision passed by FIFA. In this context, it appears that, despite the decision, Gor Mahia (the respondent) has still not complied with its financial obligations towards Mr Adama Keita (the claimant),” the letter read in part.
“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented by FIFA,” the letter continued.
FIFA, consequently, instructed the Football Kenya Federation to slap K’Ogalo with a local transfer ban.
“Moreover, and by the aforementioned decision, the FKF is requested to immediately implement on the respondent the Club (Gor Mahia) if not done yet, a ban from registering new players at the national level.”
“We thank you for taking note of the above and for your valuable cooperation in this matter.”
A payment plan drafted by legal representatives of both parties in March last year stipulated that Gor would part with US$ 15272 in penalties if they failed to clear the debt by April 30, 2023.
Keita penned a two-year deal with Gor Mahia in August 2021 and went on to feature in several matches as the first-choice custodian.
Trouble began in May 2022 when he appealed with FIFA, citing K’Ogalo’s alleged breach of contract owing to accumulated wages spanning several months.
In July 2022, Keita quit the club in a huff. In November 2022, FIFA’s Disputes Resolution Chamber ruled in favour of Keita, awarding him Sh4.4 million in compensation, including 5 percent interest.
In March 2023, the ban was lifted after Gor came up with a payment plan which saw them disburse an initial $16,000 to the player’s account while promising to clear the remaining $14,544 by April 30, 2023
On April 30, 2023, Keita filed a case with FIFA seeking payment of the remaining amount plus the accrued penalty.
Gor Mahia Secretary General Sam Ochola however said that the ban came as a result of miscommunication between the club and FIFA since they had already paid the player.
The official said they had proof of payment and assured fans that the issue will be sorted out.
