Kenya's record champions Gor Mahia have been handed a second Fifa transfer ban this year after once again failing to pay a former player his dues. Fifa has ruled that the Nairobi club cannot register any new players until it has paid just over $30,000 (Ksh 3 million) to Ghana's Owusu Jackson.
On Tuesday, the club signed a new player ahead of Fifa imposing its latest transfer ban on Wednesday. The ruling comes after a finding by Fifa that the club could not rely on a document claiming mutual termination of Jackson's contract in order to avoid paying his dues after issues were raised concerning the signature on the document. This is the second transfer ban for the most decorated Kenyan football club this year after they as well as rivals, Wazito FC were on February 4, banned after Gor failed to pay Tanzania winger Dickson Ambudo Sh1.2 million while Wazito failed to offset a Sh1 million debt owed to Liberian Augustin Otu.
Last month, K'Ogalo had to come out to deny claims they deliberately used new signings during their FKF Premier League opener against KCB without clearance from FIFA. The three players who turned out for the team against the Bankers include Peter Lwasa, who joined from Kariobangi Sharks, Dennis Ng’ang’a from Wazito FC, and Cameroonian Sando Yangayay, who signed from DRC Aguila.
“As at the time the match was played, Gor Mahia had cleared with the players’ pending debt and a confirmation to Fifa and FKF was done, meaning that there was no ban as at the kick-off time," revealed Gor Mahia Sporting Director Omondi Aduda. As it stands, the transfer ban cannot last more than three windows, following which the matter can go back to Fifa's Disciplinary Committee for further possible sanctions.