In an over five hundred worded letter addressed to the Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, world football governing body FIFA, through its Secretary General Fatma Samoura, has written to threaten the possibility of Kenyan football suffering the consequences of actions taken by the government to disband Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and, in its place, appoint a caretaker committee to oversee all of its functions for the next six months.CAF weighs in on government – FKF sagaIn the letter that came deep at night on Sunday 14 November, just hours before Nick Mwendwa, who was arrested on Friday 12 November is arraigned in court on Monday morning, the General Secretary ascertained that the decision to appoint the caretaker committee was ‘undoubtedly contrary’ to FIFA’s principles that require all their member associations to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence by any third parties.“In particular, I must highlight that the appointment of a so-called “Caretaker Committee” by your office is undoubtedly contrary to our principles according to which all of our member associations, including the FKF, are required to manage their affairs independently and without undue influence of any third parties (cf. art. 14 par. 1 lit. i) and art. 19 par. 1 of FIFA Statutes). This situation could therefore potentially lead to a suspension of the FKF by FIFA and, in such a case, it would be all of Kenyan football that would suffer the consequences,”Another one from FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura on the FKF affair. pic.twitter.com/SpEHmY72oE— Daniel N Wahome (@MistaWahome) November 15, 2021 While FIFA took issue with the appointment of the said committee and the current impasse being witnessed in the country, the governing body called for an immediate discussion which they were willing to organize as soon as possible in order to try and hear from both sides.“As a matter of fact, I am receptive to the need of a common discussion through a videoconference call that we may organise without further ado. My collaborators will contact your office accordingly to settle the logistical details as soon as possible,” the statement read.So @fifa for 2nd time in as many days threatens ban on Kenya. In correspondence to Sports Cabinet Secretary @AMB_A_Mohammed, it also asks for reinstatement of disbanded @Football_Kenya NEC, calls for dialogue asap, and hints at creating a normalization committee.— David wa Kwallimwa (@kwalimwadavid) November 15, 2021 Interestingly, FIFA asked the Ministry of Sports to consider the reinstatement of the FKF executive committee as it was before they work on normalizing the situation at hand.“Going forward, without prejudice to the allegations that have been raised and any potential trial for offences that may have been committed, FIFA and CAF are asking you to consider the reinstatement of the FKF executive committee as prior thereto. FIFA and CAF administrations are prepared to work closely with the FKF and your office representatives – as it has already been the case in the recent past to normalize the situation,” the statement concluded.##NAJAVA_MECA_9790##
