Football Kenya Premier League (FKF PL) side Zoo FC will launch an appeal after being relegated from top-flight league by FIFA due to match manipulation.
The Kericho-based side confirmed they are to fight the decision at FIFA Appeals Committee by launching the strongest possible appeal.
“We were surprised to receive a communique from FIFA that unfortunately held us responsible for match manipulation pursuant to art. 8 FDC as read with art. 18 pars 1 and 2 FIFA Disciplinary Code and, eventually, we were dropped from the top tier league,” a club statement read.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We have prepared our Appeal to the FIFA Appeals Committee under art. 56 FIFA Disciplinary Code which we shall soon file and are confident our appeal shall be successful.[/perfectpullquote]
“We shall also seek a stay of execution of the said decision that will allow us to continue participating in the league.
“We assure you that we are prepared to exhaust all legal avenues to ensure this unfair decision is reversed including lodging any further or other appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports.”
On Tuesday, Zoo received a communication from FIFA stating that the club has been demoted to Division One league next season after being found guilty of participating in the vice.
In a rejoinder, Football Kenya Federation effected the order immediately and removed Zoo FC from the Betking Premier League table and upcoming fixtures.
Zoo FC were sitting at the bottom of the 18-team log on eight points having only managing to win one game, drew five and lost eight out of the 14 matches they played.
