Nairobi league side Country Bus has petitioned the world soccer governing body FIFA to intervene in the matter concerning the delay of the solidarity fees that arose from the transfer of Harambee Stars’ skipper Victor Wanyama from Celtic to Southampton.
The Kenyan midfielder joined the Saints in a £12.5million from the Scottish Champions in a record sale by any Scottish club.
The fee however does not belong to Celtic alone with a number of clubs in Kenya and his former side Beerschot in Belgium all having a share either due to prior contractual agreement or as solidarity fees for nurturing the player.
According to FIFA rules, clubs who play a part in nurturing players during their ‘development phase’ – between the ages of 12 and 23 – are entitled to a share of five per cent of any transfer fee.
Nevertheless, the move by Country Bus could delay the pay-out of over £257,980 solidarity fees that are to be paid out to all clubs that Wanyama will have played for until he turns 23.
According to Standard Digital News, FKF Chairman Sam Nyamweya confirmed that the world soccer governing body has contacted the FA over the dispute and thus requested to avail information that will help bring it to an end.
“Lawyers representing Country Bus contacted FIFA over the matter and we have been made aware. We are in the process of availing the documents demanded by FIFA,” Nyamweya told Standard Digital News.
“FIFA is requesting player license issued by FKF to all local clubs who are claiming a share of the cash so that they can determine exactly who is to be paid what”, he added.
Besides Country Bus, Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards are also claiming a share of the millions.
Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards are also reported to have handed the matter to their respective lawyers three weeks ago and were expecting to have been paid by now.
Wanyama spent one season at City Stars when he played at the club in 2007/2008 season and the club expects to be paid at least Ksh 8million (Ugx 240m) as their solidarity fees.
City Stars remain the only club to have ever received compensation from Wanyama’s move after the club was paid Ksh 0.5million (Ugx 15m) by Celtic in 2012.
1998 Kenya Premier League winners AFC Leopards on the other hand have put in a claim of in a claim of Sh6million (Ugx 180m) for the one season (2006-07) the player turned out for them.
JMJ Academy are also expecting to be paid part of the money, having given the player his first opportunity to play professional football in Belgium.