Gor Mahia has responded to FIFA, requesting the lifting of their transfer ban, asserting that the overdue payments to former goalkeeper Adama Keita were settled prior to the deadline. The club has contested the recent transfer prohibition enacted by FIFA, the global football authority, over the delayed remittance of dues to ex-player Adama Keita, claiming all debts have been paid.
This stance follows a directive from FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber in January, instructing K’Ogalo to complete the payments owed to Keita or face an additional transfer ban.
Gor Mahia was mandated to disburse Ksh2.4 million due to the delay in the final installment of Ksh2.3 million as stipulated by FIFA for breaching the contract. The club was also required to pay 18 percent interest on the overdue amount from May 1, 2023, until the payment was made.
Should they fail to comply within 45 days, a transfer ban would be imposed. It seemed Gor Mahia had not fulfilled their obligations, resulting in the ban.
Nevertheless, the club maintains its innocence, asserting that the dues were settled within this month. “We settled the fine by February 15 and I am not sure what the issue is,” stated Gor Mahia CEO Raymond Oruo to Pulse Sports.
“We are not concerned because, according to the ruling on January 9, we have made the payment. We covered the 18 percent interest and the delayed payment as per the contract by February 15, which was before the 45-day deadline.”
Keita, who joined Gor Mahia on a two-year deal in August 2021, terminated his contract with the club in July the following year, alleging contract breach after being sidelined from the team and eventually dismissed. During his tenure, the club delayed his salary, prompting him to file a complaint with FIFA two months before his exit. In November of that year, FIFA ruled in his favor, awarding him $30,544 in compensation, including a five percent interest rate.
Gor Mahia was given 45 days to clear the payment or face a ban, which was imposed after they missed the deadline.
However, in March 2023, a payment agreement was reached, and K’Ogalo had their ban lifted after paying Keita $16,000, with the balance of $14,544 scheduled to be paid by the end of April 2023.
However, there was a significant stipulation for Gor Mahia stating that a 50 percent penalty ($15,272) would be applied if the payment agreement was not met. With the club failing to honor the agreement, Keita once again sought assistance from FIFA, claiming both the outstanding balance and the penalty.
Oruo believes the latest issue might stem from poor advice given to the Malian goalkeeper by his representatives, as well as an exploitation of FIFA’s procedural response to such disputes.
“I think there’s a misunderstanding from the claimant’s side. We addressed the $15,000 delay for two months and we’re unclear on what he’s claiming now,” the Gor Mahia CEO elaborated.
“The issue lies with FIFA. Once a claimant alleges non-payment, they take immediate action, and then it’s up to us to present our case. However, as far as we’re concerned, this matter was resolved as of yesterday [Tuesday].
“We’ve reached out to FIFA and the federation tonight [Wednesday] to clarify the situation.”
Keita has been a source of considerable difficulty for Gor Mahia in recent times, notably disrupting their CAF Champions League preparations for this season by asserting last July that the club had failed to settle his dues, which led to the withdrawal of K’Ogalo’s Club License.
