Fifa involved in Kenya transfer controversy (22.08.2001)
The controversy has gripped many fans
The chairman of Mathare United has written to Fifa asking the governing body to cancel the contracts of three of his former players who were transferred "through the back door``.
Bob Munro says the players, Simon Mulama, Pascal Ochieng and Isaiah Omondi, were transferred to Ismailia of Egypt without his consent.
He says the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) was complicit in the deal, which he refused to accept.
"I`ve been in touch with FIFA and they have promised to take action,`` said Munro, the brains behind Mathare, a team formed ten years ago in Nairobi`s biggest slum.
"Ismailia and the KFF have taken advantage of these young players because of their poor backgrounds - it`s totally unfair".
"As the founder of Mathare I`ll not rest until I see the players back in
Kenya.``
Munro has refused to accept Ismailia`s transfer fee, insisting they should first nullify the transfers and start afresh.
Ironically, the three players have not complained about their transfer.
Allegations of misconduct
The KFF`s assistant secretary-general Dan Murunga has already been suspended over the issue.
He was accused of releasing the International Transfer Certificates (ITC) without the approval of the Federation`s executive committee.
Munro wants to know why Murunga travelled to Egypt to deliver the certificates when the deal was between the two clubs.
"The manner in which the transfer was conducted shows there was something fishy".
"The KFF should conduct a thorough investigation into the whole issue instead of just suspending Murunga,`` he said.
