KPL Governing Council plan to meet on league restart, awaits government directives

7

AfricaPress-Kenya: The Kenya Premier League (KPL) Governing Council remains adamant to resume the league should the government allow the resumption of sporting activities in the country.

As Kenyans await President Uhuru Kenyatta to address the nation on June 6, most will be hoping curfew measures, as well as the cessation of movement restrictions, will be eased, as the Ministry of Health works round the clock to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The KPL also waits and has planned to convene a Government Council meeting next week, subject to new measures expected to be laid out by the government.

In a statement, KPL confirmed plans to hold a meeting on a possible resumption of the league.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Amb. Amina Mohamed, recently confirmed that the Government has set up a team to prepare for the resumption of sporting activities in the country once the Covid-19 situation has been managed. This is a sign that football, in general, is set to resume to normalcy in the near future.

“KPL wishes to confirm that a KPL Governing Council meeting will be convened next week depending on new measures the Government will announce to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic following the lapse of the 21-day nationwide curfew and cessation of movements in certain counties and local administrative areas…” part of the statement read.

After consultation with the KPL chairman, the provisional agenda for the meeting will be circulated.

KPL went on to point out in does not recognise FKF President Nick Mwendwa’s move to declare Gor Mahia 2019/2020 league champions, thereby ending the league.

Sofapaka midfielder Elly Asieche in action against Zoo FC during their Kenya Premier League match at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos on January 27, 2019.Sofapaka FC won 3-2 .  

On Thursday, April 30, Mwendwa through a tweet on Thursday, April 30, congratulated K’Ogalo and added they would represent the country in the CAF Champions League next season.

The FKF boss went on to point out where the decision was derived from in the law – Section 2.6 of the FKF constitution which governs failure to complete the league.

Section 2.6.1.1 through to 2.6.1.3 states as follows:

Where the league format due to circumstances of force majeure fails to be completed within the season, the league winner shall be determined as follows.

  • Before each and every club has completed its first round fixture the league shall be declared null and void
  • Where all the clubs in the league have completed the first round fixture but less than 75% league games have been played, the table standings at the end of the first round shall be considered as the final table standing of the league.
  • Where at least one club has played more than 75% of the league games, the following formula shall be used to determine the table position for the respective group: Total number of points earned from the number of games played multiplied by the total number of games supposed to be played decided by the number of games played.

“For avoidance of doubt, no decision has been made regarding the fate of the KPL 2019/20 season. It should be emphasized that it is only the KPL Governing Council that has the power to make such a decision. In that meeting, the KPL Governing Council will discuss and decide on the fate of the KPL 2019/20 season,” said KPL.

The League also advised clubs to acquaint themselves with the new FIFA guidelines on how to deal with the effects of COVID-19 on football.

“In the meantime, KPL advises clubs to familiarize themselves with the attached FIFA guidelines on dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on football activities and their recommended roadmap to resuming football activities. We shall also be guided by the Government’s guidelines on the resumption of sporting activities,” they advised.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here