Starlets Remain Put In Nairobi Pending CAS Appeal Outcome

14th November 2018

National women's football team was due to depart for Ghana on Wednesday, FKF's lawyer to file case in

Harambee Starlets players pose for a team photo prior to their friendly match against the National U15 boys team at the Utalii Sports Grounds. PHOTO/Courtesy/FKF
Harambee Starlets players pose for a team photo prior to their friendly match against the National U15 boys team at the Utalii Sports Grounds. PHOTO/Courtesy/FKF
SUMMARY
  • Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is expected to give a formal update on the fate of Starlets on Thursday having launched the process of appeal at the Lausanne-based CAS last Friday
  • According to the official, the filing and collecting relevant documentation to support their case was done on Tuesday with their London-based lawyer due to lodge their case with CAS on Wednesday
  • Equatorial Guinea remain banned from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup next March in France on similar charges, meaning even if they secure a top three finish at the AWCON, they will not represent Africa at the global showpiece

NAIROBI, Kenya - Harambee Starlets, will not leave for Ghana on Wednesday as earlier planned for the 2018 CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) finals that kick off on Saturday in Accra as they await the outcome of an appeal lodged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The team that remains in camp in Nairobi has been in limbo following the decision last week by continental governing body, CAF to reinstate Equatorial Guinea to the tournament having earlier expelled them from the competition for fielding an ineligible player during their final round qualifier against Kenya in June.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is expected to give a formal update on the fate of Starlets on Thursday having launched the process of appeal at the Lausanne-based CAS last Friday.

The 72-hour period given to CAF to respond to the country’s protest had elapsed on Monday without any word from them.

“Our lawyer advised us to inform CAF we are not happy and we will be moving to CAS for an appeal in following the CAF and FIFA statutes,” FKF communications boss, Barry Otieno, stated.

According to the official, the filing and collecting relevant documentation to support their case was done on Tuesday with their London-based lawyer due to lodge their case with CAS on Wednesday.

Optimistic lawyer

“The team is still in camp and our lawyer is optimistic we shall have a decision on Friday,” Otieno added.

The Equatoguineans edged Starlets 3-2 on aggregate after two legs in the third and final 2018 AWCON qualifiers in June but FKF immediately petitioned CAF to annual their opponent’s progress, an appeal that sailed through on October 17.

Kenya were then grouped alongside AWCON champions Nigeria, beaten 2016 finalists, South Africa and Zambia in the tournament draw conducted on October 21 in Accra, Ghana.

However, matters took another turn last week when the CAF Appeal Board reinstated Equatorial Guinea to the finals when the two-time African champions presented their case before them.

“The appeal lodged by the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol is admissible. The decision no 001-CAI-08.09.2018 is overruled. The player Annette Jacky Messomo is eligible to play for the National Team of Equatorial Guinea.

“The National Team of Equatorial Guinea is reintegrated in the Total African Women's Cup of Nations 2018,” part of the CAF statement read.

Equatorial Guinea remain banned from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup next March in France on similar charges, meaning even if they secure a top three finish at the AWCON, they will not represent Africa at the global showpiece.