The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has named Rooney Onyango and three other players who were involved in an alleged visa application forgery incident that led to their passports being withheld by the Italian Embassy.The announcement comes after eyebrows were raised following the exclusion of Gor Mahia defender Rooney Onyango from the team’s CAF Champions League travelling squad to Juba, South Sudan.##NAJAVA_MECA_8275708##As per sources close to the situation, Rooney’s name was missing as his passport had been withheld by the Italian Embassy after his entourage allegedly presented forged documents to aid his transfer to an unknown club in the country.As per FKF, who released an update on Friday afternoon, the incident did not involve Onyango alone.“Four players, namely Ben Stanley, Ronney Onyango, Musa Masika and Shariff Majabe used a forged federation letterhead and the FKF CEO’s signature to apply for Visas at the Italian Embassy,” FKF wrote on Friday afternoon. “ As a result, the said players’ passports have been retained at the Embassy.”Gad Mathews, Rooney Onyango omitted as Gor Mahia announce CAF Champions League travelling squadThe update further mentioned that a former player residing abroad might have been involved in the forgery.“Preliminary investigations indicate that a former player currently residing abroad and an NSL club official and/or their agents are behind the forged FKF documentation and the Visa applications,” FKF added.The Federation, however, noted that it was engaged in continuous discussions with the Italian Embassy to “have the retained passports released back to the players.”Sources close to the situation indicate that Onyango was without his passport when he travelled with K’Ogalo to their pre-season friendlies in Tanzania over a week ago, and only made it there with “a temporary permit.”“The federation has formally initiated internal disciplinary proceedings against the individuals believed to have forged the FKF documents used in the Visa application,” FKF added. “We will not be making further statements on the issue until the matter is resolved.”Mozzart Sport has contacted the Italian Embassy and will provide an update on any new information that emanates from the matter.
