Mathare United FC (MUFC) will submit later today an official complaint to the Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee (IDCC) on the rights of clubs.
The MUFC case cites the Kenyan Premier League Ltd (KPL) as the 1st Respondent and, as the 2nd Respondent, Pevans East Africa Ltd, the owner of the SportPesa brand and the KPL Title Rights Sponsor.
Disappointment on our 13th anniversary
MUFC Founder/Chairman Bob Munro pointed out that “today is actually the 13th anniversary of the initial incorporation of KPL on October 31, 2003. The KPL was founded to serve and protect the rights and best interests of the clubs and shareholders.
Disappointment on our 13th anniversary
MUFC Founder/Chairman Bob Munro pointed out that “today is actually the 13th anniversary of the initial incorporation of KPL on October 31, 2003. The KPL was founded to serve and protect the rights and best interests of the clubs and shareholders.
As the Chairman of a founding KPL club and a KPL Director, I am naturally disappointed and saddened by recent events and actions by KPL staff which do not serve and protect the rights and best interests of the KPL clubs, and especially the arbitrary and unjustified refusal by KPL staff to allow our club to display the billboards of our new partner, Betway, during our last two home matches.”
Key issues
He added that “among other key issues, the KPL-SportPesa Agreement on July 17, 2015 was not signed with the prior informed consent and approval of the KPL Governing Council and was also not signed by the KPL Chairman or any other KPL Director on behalf of the KPL clubs. Moreover, the Agreement even specifically states that the exclusivity of SportPesa as the KPL Title Rights Sponsor “does not extend to the team sponsorship of individual teams.”
Key issues
He added that “among other key issues, the KPL-SportPesa Agreement on July 17, 2015 was not signed with the prior informed consent and approval of the KPL Governing Council and was also not signed by the KPL Chairman or any other KPL Director on behalf of the KPL clubs. Moreover, the Agreement even specifically states that the exclusivity of SportPesa as the KPL Title Rights Sponsor “does not extend to the team sponsorship of individual teams.”
In addition, the Agreement appears not to be in conformity with, for example, key provisions in the Constitution of Kenya on protection of property and key parts of the Competition Act of Kenya on “Restrictive Agreements, Practices and Decisions” and the “Abuse of Dominant Position”.
Future of other clubs, league and sponsors
He concluded by emphasizing that “our club decided to submit a complaint to the IDCC because the KPL-SportPesa Agreement not only infringes on our rights and unfairly jeopardizes the future of our club but also the rights and future of the 13 other KPL clubs which are not sponsored by SportPesa.
Future of other clubs, league and sponsors
He concluded by emphasizing that “our club decided to submit a complaint to the IDCC because the KPL-SportPesa Agreement not only infringes on our rights and unfairly jeopardizes the future of our club but also the rights and future of the 13 other KPL clubs which are not sponsored by SportPesa.
Moreover, it also jeopardizes the future sporting integrity, competitiveness and viability of the KPL itself and also undermines the fundamental rights of other betting companies in Kenya to compete in an open, free and fair market.”
A relevant question
He ended with a relevant question: “Why would the Title Rights Sponsor want to undermine the sponsorship prospects and financial viability of 14 of the 16 KPL clubs as that will adversely affect the competitiveness in the league and reduce the value of their own title sponsorship rights?”
A relevant question
He ended with a relevant question: “Why would the Title Rights Sponsor want to undermine the sponsorship prospects and financial viability of 14 of the 16 KPL clubs as that will adversely affect the competitiveness in the league and reduce the value of their own title sponsorship rights?”
