How AFC Leopards evaded FIFA sanctions in payment saga with Aussems

AFC Leopards' management have acted with speed to evade facing FIFA sanctions in their payment saga with former Belgian coach Patrick Aussems.

According to a reliable source who spoke to SportPesa News, the club management cleared the last bunch of payment owed to the former coach on March Tuesday 5.

Without confirming the exact figure wired to the Belgian tactician, the source intimated to SportPesa News that Ingwe's management had complied with all the payment deadlines.

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He assured the fans that everything had been settled with the club now focused on returning to the title race.

"I can confirm that we cleared the amount on Tuesday. We have honoured the agreement as the payment plans," a reliable source at AFC Leopards told SportPesa news.

"Those reports that we may get a ban are untrue," the source insisted.

Aussem's exit and FIFA case

Just before the nullified 2021/2022 season had begun, Ingwe found themselves amidst a crisis as over ten players opted to quit the club just a week to the new season owing to financial difficulties. Players and staff not receiving their salaries was a regular occurrence at the club chaired by Dan Shikanda.

Aussems, who had joined the club in February 2021, was among the staff who had not been paid for months on end. As a result, the Belgian coach decided to report his case with FIFA Football Tribunal.

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The dues, amounting to around USD 25,000 (circa Kes3,546,250) had accrued from July 31, 2021, when he signed a new two-year contract, to December 28, 2021 after not receiving any pay.

On May 18, 2022, after not receiving any positive feedback from Ingwe, FIFA notified both Aussems and Leopards of their findings on the employment-related dispute between the two parties.

The ruling asked AFC Leopards Sports Club to pay USD 25,000 (Kes 3,546,250) as outstanding remuneration and USD 120,000 (Kes 17,022,000) as compensation for breach of contract within 45 days.

The club's management, the former coach and FIFA met and agreed on a new payment formula with the last part of the payment due in March this year, failure to which the club might have served a three-window transfer ban.

However, Ingwe met the financial obligation saving the club from getting FIFA sanctions.

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Aussem's contribution to the club

Aussems received praise for instilling an attractive style of play and transforming the way Leopards approached the game. Despite having a transfer ban, he utilized the available players to form a formidable side.

Aussems led the team to a seventh-place finish in the 2022/23 season and they had a sixth-place finish in the 2021/22 season.

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In the 2020/21 season, the team achieved a fourth-place finish.

However, in July 2023, the Belgian tactician parted ways with AFC Leopards.

"For personal and private reasons l won't be able to renew my contract with AFC Leopards! Thanks to my players, my staff, the incredible fans for the last 2 years! I wish Ingwe all the best! Asante sana," Aussems stated then.

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