Former Mathare United centre back Lennox Ogutu has been cleared to return to football after his match fixing suspension was lifted.In a communication seen by Mozzart Sport, Football Kenya Federation lifted the suspension following Ogutu’s successfull appeal at the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS).FKF suspended Ogutu alongside his teammate Alphonce Ndonye in February last year on suspicion that they were involved in pre-determining the outcome of matches. The two were barred from featuring or attending football matches pending the outcome of the investigations FKF had promised.However, Ogutu, perhaps feeling hard done by the lengthy investigations turned to CAS and obtained a ruling to his advantage.##NAJAVA_MECA_8529154##”We are pleased to inform you that the suspension imposed on you has been lifted, effective immediately. This decision follows the successful appeal in your case, CAS 2024/A/10878, before the Arbitration for Sport (CAS). We congratulate you on this outcome,”read part of the letter to Ogutu signed by Acting FKF CEO Patrick Korir. Having been cleared, the former Nairobi City Stars is free to resume competitive football in the mid-season transfer window that is expected to open either in January of February next year.Harambee Stars overtaken by Tanzania in latest FIFA Rankings”You are now a free agent and are welcome to join any club of your interest,” added the letter from FKF dispatched to the player on Thursday.According to documents from CAS, Ogutu enquired, through his counsel at least four times on the status of his case and investigations between July 2023 and March 2024 but answers were not provided.Ogutu was forced to appeal the case on 19 September this year after FKF failed to avail evidence on the alleged match fixing.Kenyan coach signs Tanzanian Premier League clubBefore then, the former national U23 team defender had honored summons by FKF to appear before the investigation officer.CAS would rule in favour of Ogutu after weighing on the facts presented and the fact that FKF had failed to communicate to him for 18 months on the status of the case. Mathews tips Gor Mahia to retain league title despite poor startThe Switzerland-based court noted that the Respondent, who is FKF in this case, failed to provide answers within prescribed deadline, leaving Ogutu on the verge of a favorable ruling.”It follows from the above the three cumulative conditions for granting the request for provisional measures have been met. As a consequence, the Division President considers that the application for provisional measures filed by the Appellant on 23 September 2024 Sha be granted,” read part of the ruling by CAS.
