Double blow for Thika United as court throws out petition.
The Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) has thrown out the
case filed by Thika United FC, challenging
the play-off criteria between them and Ushuru FC.
The two sides were to settle it out in a two-legged play-off
on December 6 for the first round, with the return leg four days later, but
Thika rushed to court protesting the move.
However, the local sports arbitration body threw away the
case, reinstating an earlier clash as set by the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).
Thika United had argued the play off decision was not
communicated at the beginning of the season and therefore it was only effective
from next season but the court determined that the grounds of Thika United’s
case had no merit.
The Thika side was also slapped with the penalty of meeting
the cost of the case.
Thika have been hesitant about participating in the playoffs
arguing that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) must honour the 2015 agreement
they had with league sponsor KPL over the manner in which teams are to be
promoted and relegated from the top-tier competition.
The ‘Milkmen’
finished 16th in the table log, just one place above automatic
relegation spot, while Ushuru came third in the lower National Super
League (NSL).
Following this ruling, the two sides will have to square it
out to determine who plays in the Kenyan Premier League next season. This is
the first time NSL and KPL sides are facing off in a playoff.
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