Kenyan giants Gor Mahia were on Wednesday, October 6 issued with a transfer ban by football’s world governing body FIFA.
The decision follows the club’s failure to pay $30,000 (Ksh3.3) million owed to a former player, Ghana’s Jackson Owusu. It has over the past few season faced financial difficulties with numerous reported cases of delayed or unpaid salaries.
“We wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented by FIFA as of today,” communication from FIFA read in part.
Gor Mahia had been directed by FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) to transfer the funds to Owusu in a decision rendered on June 30. The club, however, did not do so.
The club had failed in its bid to convince FIFA that a mutual termination of the contract left them without the obligation to pay the dues. Question marks were raised over one of the signatures on the document.
Gor Mahia will therefore be unable to register any new players until it pays the amount owed to Owusu.
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The decision leaves the club in limbo as it has been signing players including the talented Austin Odhiambo from AFC Leopards, their derby rivals, in a highly publicized move completed on Tuesday, October 5.
It is the second time the club has been issued with a transfer ban in 2021.
The previous ban ran from February to September. It stemmed from debts owed to two former players and a coach.
Despite their struggles off the pitch, Gor Mahia began the new season on a high as they beat KCB 2-1 on opening weekend, courtesy of an early brace from golden boy Benson Omalla.
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