EXCLUSIVE: FIFA slaps Gor Mahia with transfer ban

FKF Premier League leaders Gor Mahia have been banned from signing new players by FIFA due to their failure to settle the penalty resulting from delayed payment to Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita, as mandated by FIFA's Disputes Resolution Chamber.

The player, who was with Gor Mahia in 2021, was initially awarded KES 4.4 million by FIFA’s DRC as compensation for a contract breach by the club, stemming from enduring months without pay and eventual release.

However, delays in payments and failure to meet deadlines have caused Gor Mahia to pay a significantly higher amount than originally owed. At 39, the player appears to have retired from the game.

The recent sanctions against Gor Mahia resulted from a penalty imposed on the club for failing to pay the player the initial amount within the specified timeframe.

In the payment plan drafted by legal representatives and signed by both parties in March 2023, a clause stating that if Gor failed to clear the balance of 14544 USD by the stipulated time of April 30, 2023, a penalty of USD 15272 which is 50% of the principal amount of 30544 would apply.

Gor Mahia failed to pay the player within the stipulated time, resulting in the application of the penalty outlined in the document, which is now haunting the club.

In January 2024, FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber instructed the club to pay the player USD 15272 plus an 18% interest for delaying the initial final payment of KES 2.3 million due to the contract breach.

The club was given a 45-day ultimatum to settle the payment to the player or face a transfer embargo, which has now been communicated to both the club and FKF by FIFA.

FIFA has imposed an international transfer ban, while FKF has been instructed to enforce a local transfer ban until the club fully complies.

Letter from FIFA's DRC

We refer to the abovementioned matter as well as to the Decision passed by FIFA (the Decision).

In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, the respondent, GOR MAHIA FC (the Respondent) has still not complied with its financial obligations towards MR ADAMA KEITA (the Claimant).

In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented by FIFA.

Moreover, and in accordance with the aforementioned decision, the Football Kenya Federation(in copy) is requested to immediately implement on the respondent the Club GOR MAHIA FC, if not done yet, a ban from registering new players at national level.

We thank you for taking note of the above and for your valuable cooperation in this matter.

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Adama Keita vs Gor Mahia Impasse Explained

In August 2021, Malian goalkeeper Adama Keita signed a controversial two-year deal with Gor Mahia. Despite opposition from a majority of the club's online supporters, the club proceeded with the recruitment.

Keita featured in several games before encountering payment issues, leading to a rift with the club.

By May 2022, Keita filed a complaint against Gor Mahia with FIFA's Disputes Resolution Chamber, alleging a breach of contract due to unpaid wages for several months.

The club, facing financial difficulties without a sponsor, struggled to meet its financial obligations.

In July 2022, Keita terminated his contract with Gor Mahia, claiming a breach of contract on the club's part. He escalated the matter to FIFA's DRC, seeking additional compensation from the Kenyan champions.

In November 2022, FIFA's Disputes Resolution Chamber ruled in favor of Keita, awarding him $30,544 (equivalent to 4,489,968 Kenyan Shillings at the time) in compensation, including 5% interest. The club was given 45 days to pay Keita, failing which they would face a transfer embargo.

Unable to meet the deadline, Gor Mahia incurred a transfer embargo as a consequence of their failure to pay Keita.

In March 2023, both parties agreed to a payment plan, resulting in the lifting of Gor Mahia's transfer ban. The club paid Keita $16,000 and committed to clearing the remaining $14,544 by April 30, 2023.

However, the payment plan included a clause stating that if Gor Mahia failed to pay the balance by the specified date, a penalty of $15,272, equivalent to 50% of the principal amount, would be applied.

On April 30, 2023, Gor Mahia defaulted on the payment, prompting Keita to return to FIFA seeking the remaining amount plus the penalty, totaling $29,816.

Efforts to negotiate another payment plan with Keita in July proved unsuccessful, as he insisted on receiving the full amount in one installment, including the penalty, despite having received $14,544.

In January 2024, FIFA directed Gor Mahia to pay Keita $2,618 in accrued interest and a contractual penalty of $15,272 within 45 days, warning of another transfer ban in case of failure.

In February 2024, Gor Mahia has been banned from signing players both locally and internationally due to their failure to comply with FIFA's directives.

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