FIFA Throws Kenyan FA a Lifeline

FIFA have handed Kenya a lifeline after giving the national football association up to the end of this month to clear outstanding salary arrears owed to former coach, Belgian Adel Amrouche if they are to entertain any hopes of taking part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The qualifiers for the world showpiece will likely start in October and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) needs to clear the US$1,000,000 (Ksh 108 million) owed to the Algeria-born coach.

Initially, the Nick Mwendwa led federation was supposed to have paid the cash on Friday but the deadline has been extended as FKF argued that the current coronavirus pandemic had slowed down their efforts.

FIFA’s letter to Kenyan FA said; “In this regard, we take due note from the content of the abovementioned correspondence that the Football Kenya Federation did not pay the amounts due to the coach Adel Amrouche within the granted deadline and that the latter therefore requests that further disciplinary sanctions are imposed on the Football Kenya Federation.”

“In this sense, we kindly inform the parties that, in accordance with point 4 of the decision passed by the Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on 23 March, 2020, the case will be resubmitted to a member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on 18 May, 2020, for evaluation in order to decide on harsher sanctions to be imposed on the Football Kenya Federation, which may lead, amongst others, to possible expulsion from FIFA competitions,” continued the letter.

FIFA has also urged the FKF to solve the impasse before the set date or risk harsher sanctions.

“In light of the foregoing, the Football Kenya Federation is invited to provide the secretariat to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee with its position, including proof of payment of any outstanding amounts, by 30 April 2020 at the latest,” another part of the statement reads.

“Should the Football Kenya Federation fail to submit a statement within the stipulated deadline, a member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will decide on the case using the file in its possession (cf. art. 20 par. 5 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code).”