The last leg of “Mashemeji” derby this season pitting two great clubs in Kenya football – Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards slated for Saturday 31st July 2021 is in doubt.
Both teams have vowed not to honor the much anticipated clash unless the FKF remits their sponsorship money owed to them.
In a joint letter written to the Federation, both clubs have demanded payment of sponsorship monthly remittance, broadcasting rights and Betway Cup final price money which has not been released by the federation.
Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards are yet to receive May and July grants. June was scrapped out due to the Covid-19 break.
It is emerged that the Federation lied to Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards that Betway Cup was deposited to a fixed account and will be available by 5th August but the clubs have found out that the money was used to fund other struggling clubs.
But the Federation had warned the two teams of dare consequences should they fail to honor the March.
FKF Chief Executive Officer Barry Otieno while sending a warning to the two insisted that there was no co-relation between the league and Cup. The administrator chided the two most successful clubs for blackmail and failing to furnish his office with official bank accounts to facilitate the transfer of funds.
“First of all, there’s no co-relation between the FKF Cup and the league. That said, we wrote to all the finalists of the cup (AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, Bidco United and Equity FC) and informed them the payment would be done by latest 5th August. We requested for the official bank accounts and as a matter of fact, Gor Mahia wanted the payment in cash, we declined the request,” he said.
The anticipated match is scheduled to kick-off at 3.00 pm on Saturday at Thika Municipal Stadium.