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Ghana FA boss to mediate in Kenya football impasse

Xinhua, March 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

World football governing body FIFA has appointed Ghana's FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi to mediate in the football impasse in Kenya, GFA spokesman Ibrahim Saanie Daara said here on Monday.

Nyantakyi will head a three-man body that is expected to help end the crisis threatening to cripple football in the East African country.

Other members of the delegation include Ashford Mamelodi, FIFA Development Officer, and FIFA's head of Member Associations Primo Carvaro.

The team is currently in Kenya for the talks, Saanie said.

Top football clubs are in a crisis after two groups proposed rival premier leagues with conflicting competitions.

At present, Kenya Premier League (KPL) has 16 teams, and has resisted expansion plans to 18 teams put forward by the national organizing body, Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

With both groups organizing separate fixtures involving the same teams, fans fear the teams may be forced to choose either league due to competing games and schedules.

There may also be a conflict of interest in the use of stadiums for the matches with the two parallel league competitions.

The threat of football grinding to a halt in Kenya has forced FIFA to send a delegation to the country to seek to resolve the stand-off.

"I hope we can bring out experience to bear on this issue to bring a lasting solution for Kenya football to enjoy some peace and progress," Nyantakyi, who is also a member of the CAF executive committee, was quoted by the GFA website as saying.

This is not the first time that Kenyan football has faced chaotic rivalries in its administration.

In 2005-2006, protracted infighting between football officials led to two parallel leagues.

It took the intervention of the government to disband the national federation to end the crisis. Endite