Gor Mahia handed transfer ban over saga with Malian keeper Adama Keita
28th February 2024
K'Ogalo failed to settle the penalty to Adama Keita on time as required.
- FIFA has imposed an international transfer ban, while FKF
has been instructed to enforce a local transfer ban until the club fully
complies.
- The club was given a 45-day ultimatum to settle the payment to Keita or face a transfer embargo, which has now been communicated to both the club and FKF by FIFA.
- The recent sanctions against Gor Mahia resulted from a penalty imposed on the club for failing to pay the player the initial amount within the specified timeframe.
Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia have found themselves on FIFA’s
wrong books once again as the world football governing body handed the 20-time
Kenyan champions a transfer ban on Wednesday 28 February.
In a letter signed by Head of Judicial Bodies Julien Deux, FIFA
confirmed that K’Ogalo had been banned from registering new players internationally
as they ordered the Football Kenya Federation to bar the club from making any
signing at national level.
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The ban comes after Gor Mahia failed to settle the penalty
resulting from delayed payment to Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita, as mandated by
FIFA's Disputes Resolution Chamber.
“We refer to the abovementioned matter as well as to the
Decision passed by FIFA (the Decision).
In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, the
respondent, GOR MAHIA FC (the Respondent) has still not complied with its
financial obligations towards MR ADAMA KEITA (the Claimant).
In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban
from registering new players internationally has been implemented by FIFA.
Moreover, and in accordance with the aforementioned decision, the Football Kenya Federation(in copy) is requested to immediately implement on the respondent the Club GOR MAHIA FC, if not done yet, a ban from registering new players at national level,” the letter sent to Gor Mahia read.
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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.
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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