Another FIFA threat to ban Kenya roar its ugly head
Kenya risks forfeiting the hosting rights of AFCON 2027 where they hold the tournament with their Eastern African neighbours Uganda and Tanzania alongside hosting CHAN 2024.
This looming threat stems for a FIFA directive issued based on third party interference as reported by the Newspaper, The Star of Kenya.
FIFA, the world football governing body have expressed grave concern as a result of a verdict issued by Mombasa High Court on March 16 which ordered the suspension of the Annual General Meeting of the Football Kenya Federation. In a response, FIFA instructed the country’s football body to promptly convene the meeting seeing the court ruling as an undue influence by an external party.
The court ruling came amidst a lawsuit filed by renowned journalist Milton Nyankudi as he challenged the legality of the Federation to convene the meeting.
In a letter address by FIFA’s chief member association officer Kenny Jeane-Marie to the General Secretary of the Federation Barry Otieno, Marie emphasised on the importance of upholding the principle of non-interference in football administration. The letter warned that any further attempt by the third parties to obstruct the Federation’s meeting could result in a FIFA sanction.
It will be recalled that, Kenya received a FIFA ban 2 years ago alongside Zimbabwe for governmental interference. Kenya’s sports ministry disbanded the Football Kenya Federation for alleged misappropriation of funds. This ban led to Kenya forfeiting their AFCON 2023 qualifiers as they couldn’t participate let alone dream of qualification.
Story By: Awal Mohammed Hudu
