FIFA lift Gor Mahia's transfer ban after two days of confusion

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have had their transfer ban lifted within two days after it emerged that they were not on the wrong in their tussle with former Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita.

K'Ogalo received the transfer ban on Wednesday after FIFA ruled that they had not paid dues owed to their former goalkeeper on time, leading to the imposition of the local and international transfer embargo.

However, the Kenyan football giants wrote to FIFA claiming that it had cleared all the money owed to Keita who demanded Ksh 4.4 million from the club plus other accrued money from penalties.

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In their appeal, Gor Mahia argued that the contested payments were cleared by February 15 as was required of them, only for Keita to fail to notify the governing body.

In the latest communique, FIFA acknowledged that indeed Keita’s debts had been paid leading to the lifting of the transfer ban.

“We take note from the mentioned correspondence that the creditor has received the amounts due by the respondents, the club Gor Mahia FC, in accordance with the decision passed by FIFA.

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As a consequence, we inform you that the present proceedings are closed, and hence, the registration ban imposed has been lifted,” read the ruling from Julien Deux, the Head of Judicial Bodies at Zurich.

How the Gor Mahia-Adama Keita dispute started

In July 2022, Keita quit the club and reported to FIFA accusing the club of contract breach. In November 2022, Fifa’s Disputes Resolution Chamber ruled in favour of Keita, awarding him Ksh4.4 million in compensation, including 5 per cent interest.

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In March 2023, the ban was lifted after Gor came up with a payment plan which saw them disburse an initial $16,000 to the player’s account while promising to clear the remaining $14,544 by April 30, 2023

On April 30, 2023, Keita filed a case with Fifa seeking payment of the remaining amount plus the accrued penalty.

Gor agreed to clear the balance with FIFA agreeing to their new arrangement.

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