Nyamweya: We have Fifa’s support
Football Kenya Federation on Wednesday reiterated its stance that there will be only one premier league in the country, claiming they have the full support and backing of Fifa.
Speaking shortly upon arrival from Fifa headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the FKF chief maintained that the federation will not tolerate parallel league in the country.
“I just landed this morning from Zurich where I had a very successful meeting with Sepp Blatter and I want to confirm without fear that Fifa supports us,” Nyamweya said.
“Blatter graciously accepted our invite to come to Kenya to open the Kisumu Stadium in the next two to three weeks,” he said.
The Kisumu Stadium is a beneficiary of the Fifa goal project – an initiative that aimed at laying at least two artificial turfs in each African country.
“One thing that he (Blatter) has assured us is that he will not allow anybody to run parallel leagues. There will be only one league which is recognized by FKF, Caf and Fifa.”
LEANER LEAGUE
Delving onto the Fifa consultant report filed by German Robert Niemann, and which recommended for a leaner 16-team league this season, Nyamweya poured cold water on the findings saying that they are not bound by the recommendations spelt therein.
“They (consultants) never gave us any directive. Their work ended with the report.”
Flanked by his vice chairman Robert Asembo, FKF’s NEC members and Chief Executive Michael Esakwa, the FKF boss maintained that his body is still open to discussion with “their member clubs” but not the Kenyan Premier League Limited, whom, he said, they had severed ties with.
He at the same time warned referees who officiate any matches organized by KPL saying that such officials will have their license revoked.
Nyamweya’s assertion comes in the backdrop of planned Kenyan Premier League kick off next weekend – a week after the FKF Premier League kicks off.
On his part Esakwa said that the 18-league fixtures were ready and would be made public by close of business on Wednesday.
FKF and KPL have so far failed to agree on the composition of the 2015 league.