AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia have signed a joint letter threatening to abscond Betting Premier League matches starting with Saturday’s Mashemeji Derby if the Football Kenya Federation does not remit monies owed to them.
The two clubs are demanding to be paid the prize money for the Betway FKF Cup which they played in the finals on July 4, 2021 at the Nyayo stadium.
Gor Mahia are demanding Ksh 2 million while AFC Leopards Ksh 1 million from the federation.
The letter sent to the federation on Friday morning was signed by AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda and his Gor Mahia counterpart Ambrose Rachier.
In the letter, the two clubs have given FKF until close of business to remit the money or fail to honour the league fixture slated for July 31.
“Whereas you’re obliged to make monthly payments of sponsorship grants, you have intentionally neglected, failed/or refused to remit to us the said sponsorship grants in time or sometimes at all. To this end, you have failed and/or refused to remit to us in full the Startimes, BetKing and Youth Team sponsorship grants as of date
“In addition, whereas the sponsorship for Betway Cup has been paid to you by the sponsor, you have neglected, failed/or refused to give the winning cluband the runners up their due and rightful payment. You have neglected, failed/or refused to remit Ksh. 2.000,000(Two million Kenya Shillings) to Gor Mahia FC and Ksh. 1,000,000(One million Kenya Shillings) to AFC Leopards SC as the respective winners and runners up of the Betway Cup,” read the letter.
“Therefore this is to inform you that unless all the outstanding sponsorship grants and the Betway Cup sponsorship money of Ksh 2,000,000(Two million Kenya Shillings) to Gor Mahia FC and Ksh 1,000,000(One million Kenya Shillings) to AFC Leopards SC paid by 4pm of 30th July 2021, we will not honour the league match slated for 31st July 2021,” the letter concluded.
The two clubs are in a bad run in form and irregular training sessions and boycotts have been the story of the day. Gor Mahia for instance have not trained since their last league match which they lost 1-0 to Ulinzi Stars. AFC Leopards meanwhile have problems of their own with most players already out of contract.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in the meantime asked the two clubs to submit bank account details to the federation for financial approval systems.
The federation CEO Barry Otieno has said that there is no correlation between the league and the Betway cup and the clubs must honor the Mashemeji derby.