Kenya’s football federation is once again facing the threat of suspension by world governing body Fifa over renewed allegations of political interference by the country’s government.
In an email sent to the African Football Confederation on Thursday, Fifa’s presidential delegate for special affairs, Jerome Champagne, warned that Kenya’s recent return to international soccer could again be revoked after the government announced plans to set up a ”caretaker committee” to run the federation.
”This is unbelievable,” Champagne said in the email, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.
”I discussed this issue this morning again with the Fifa president and he is furious that once again, a governmental structure [the sports commissioner and the registrar’s office] intervened again in this matter in spite of all statements.
”Mr Blatter even mentioned a new suspension to be brought to the Fifa congress.”
Kenya was banned from all international competitions last October for breaching international agreements and for protracted problems in its troubled federation.
Agreement flouted
The ban was lifted last month but with conditions attached, including non-interference by the Kenyan government and the withdrawal of pending legal proceedings.
Two Kenyan premier league clubs have already flouted the agreement, however, by continuing to challenge their relegation before the country’s civil courts.
”All this confusion is just created for the sake of trying to save two clubs and to damage every effort to rebuild,” Champagne added in his email. ”I really wonder whether [they] will ever learn anything.”
Kenya’s registrar’s office confirmed to Reuters on Thursday that it was setting up the caretaker committee on an interim basis until an annual general meeting could be convened.
”The registrar hereby confirms the caretaker committee of KFF to deal with affairs of the society until the annual general meeting is called,” deputy registrar of societies SM Nganga said in a letter shown to Reuters.
”We have started running soccer and we shall announce our programme soon,” Peter Ochiel, the committee’s leader, said. – Reuters