The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has nullified the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Leagues and Competitions Committee’s decision to dock Gucha Stars three points, effectively giving the club a lifeline in its quest for promotion to the National Super League (NSL).Gucha Stars moved to the tribunal after their appeal to the FKF Appeals Committee was only partially upheld. The initial punishment saw the club drop from first to third place in the Division One standings, losing the automatic promotion slot to Soy United.##NAJAVA_MECA_8992123##In a ruling issued by the SDT, the result of the controversial match between Gucha Stars and Nakuru Bucks, played on 19 April 2025, was declared null and void. The Tribunal ordered that the match be replayed at a neutral venue to be determined by the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee within 14 days of the ruling.However, Gucha Stars were not completely off the hook. The club was fined Ksh 100,000, payable within 30 days, for negligence in submitting a team sheet that included an ineligible player.Why former Spurs midfielder warned teammates against going close to Victor WanyamaBackground of the caseThe saga began after Nakuru Bucks filed a protest alleging that Gucha Stars had fielded an ineligible player, Eugene Nyakaga. The club later recanted the protest in a statement, saying that the individual who submitted it was not authorized to do so.Investigations later revealed that Nyakaga was not registered in the FIFA Connect system and had impersonated another player, violating FKF Rule 6.2.11, which prohibits the use of false information in player registration. It turned out that the player on the pitch was actually Bildad Marube, who was using Nyakaga’s identity.Kenyan referee to officiate Real Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup clashOn May 23, the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee ruled that Gucha Stars had breached the regulations and awarded the match to Nakuru Bucks on a 3-0 basis. As a result, Soy United rose to the top of the FKF Division One table and secured promotion to the National Super League, while Compel SC earned a spot in the promotion playoffs.The ruling also handed Nyakaga a 365-day suspension and directed FKF to present Marube before the Disciplinary Committee.Burundian Kenya Police FC coach lists what he loves most about KenyaAppeals and procedural IrregularitiesGucha Stars appealed the LCC ruling, but the FKF Appeals Committee upheld the sanctions, citing the seriousness of the impersonation offense. However, it acknowledged that the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee had acted outside its jurisdiction, thereby partially upholding Gucha’s appeal.The Appeals Committee emphasized that clubs cannot escape punishment for deliberate rule-breaking by pointing out procedural errors. In their ruling, they awarded Gucha Stars a 3-0 win based on the violation of Rule 6.2.11 of the FKF Rules and Regulations Governing Football in Kenya.Feeling aggrieved, Gucha moved to the Tribunal.Shumah highlights role Ogam, Osoro played in clinching Golden Boot award
