Gor Mahia Makes Appeal Against Revocation Of Its License

20-time Football Kenya Federation (FKF) League champions Gor Mahia on Friday, July 21 wrote to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Club Licensing Board appealing against the revocation of their licensing certificate as ordered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

According to a letter by the club seen by Viral Tea, K'Ogalo wants FKF under President Nick Mwendwa to reconsider its earlier decision to revoke its certificate, which resulted in the club being kicked out of the CAF Champions League for failing to meet the CAF Club Licensing Rules as announced on Thursday, July 20.

CAF had initially claimed that Gor Mahia had failed to meet several requirements, including having a valid licence and providing financial guarantees for three players, the latter of which the club revealed were paid.

"We write to appeal on the revocation of our Club license certificate; we received the letter this afternoon via FKF through FKF SG/CEO Mr Barry Otieno on the overdue payables to our former players Sando Yangayay, Adama Keita and Jules Ulimwengu.

"To confirm to your able office all the overdue payables to the above former players has been remitted and all the remittance slips shared herein," read the letter in part to FKF.

Gor Mahia further requested FKF to reverse its decision as well as restore the club to participating in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League.

"We request your able office to reconsider the earlier decision on revoking our certificate and reinstate our Club on the CAF Inter-Club Competition. Your quick decision and action will be highly appreciated," the letter added.

Despite Gor Mahia settling its debts on Friday, which was past the deadline, the decision now lies in CAF to decide whether it will re-admit the Kenyan champions to the CAF Champions League.

FKF had taken action on the advice of CAF due to a breach of payment agreements and overdue payables. President Nick Mwendwa had confirmed receiving a letter from CAF ordering the club to clear the pending dues of the players before the draw on Friday, but K'Ogalo had not settled the dues by 5 pm.

He expressed that he was unsure of what CAF would do should Gor Mahia be barred.

"It is true we received a letter from CAF giving Gor Mahia a deadline of Thursday, July 20, to clear the aforementioned players before they are included in the draw to be held today, but as of 5 pm [Thursday], Gor Mahia had not settled the same," Mwendwa said.

"We are now waiting for a response from CAF to know the way forward, we don’t know if they will ask us to replace Gor Mahia or if Kenya will end up having no representative in the Champions League competition."

FKF had in June announced in a statement that it had cleared Gor and two other clubs to participate in CAF competitions for the 2023-2024 season. It followed a CAF circular issued earlier that month regarding the club licensing process and requisite criteria.

If indeed Gor Mahia is expelled, it will be a massive blow for the players that fought hard to win the FKF Premier League title after a tight race against Tusker FC.

Kenya will also be dealt a blow given that they had no representative last season as the country was suspended by FIFA.