Gor Mahia's trip to Nigeria for the inaugural Coal City International was cancelled at the last minute after the playing unit boycotted training demanding a share of the Sh5m granted to them by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) during the annual football gala.
The strike masterminds were issued with a formal show cause notice, detailing their offence and ordered to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for failing to show up for work.
The players, who face further punishment from the club, have 48 hours (starting last night) to respond.
Until yesterday afternoon, everything was sailing smoothly with the K'Ogalo team manager Victor Nyaoro working on air tickets for the team’s departure to Enugu on Wednesday evening.
However, only youngsters and new signings attended the session with the majority of senior players refusing to train despite being addressed by the management.
Nyaoro later posted in the team’s WhatsApp group that the trip was off with players being slapped with the letters.
“You are hereby required to show cause in writing within 48 hours of the date of this letter why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for violating Clause 6 of your contract with the Club and Article 14 of Fifa's Regulations of the Status and Transfer of Players,” read the letter.
Gor secretary general, Samuel Ochola, also warned the players who decided to sit in the team bus despite travelling to their training grounds.
“It is noted that you willfully refused to train on the different dates between July 27 and 30, 2024; and instead staged a sit-in at the Mpesa Foundation,” said Ochola in a letter.
“The club will consequently withhold the portion of your monthly salary, allowance and all pecuniary benefits accruable over the period. Failure to submit an explanation or response by the stipulated date, the club will proceed to decide without further reference to you,” concluded the letter.
Former Gor Mahia goalkeeper Mathews 'Ottamax' Owino called out the players to style up and always read their contracts well before engaging in strikes.
This was not the first time K'Ogalo players had downed their tools. In October 2017, they staged a similar boycott demanding their dues.
Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier said no clause in Gor Mahia players’ contracts entitles them to a share of the prize money when the club wins the league.
Disappointed K'Ogallo's new head coach Leonardo Neiva, who fell in the group stage of the Cecafa Cup in Dar-es-salaam on July 16, had planned to use the tournament to gauge his new signings and playing philosophy.
Gor Mahia was guaranteed an appearance fee of N5 million (approximately Sh478,000) per match, in appearance fee, and the organisers will draft a local side to replace them.
K'Ogalo was scheduled to face Brazilian giants Corinthians in the Coal City tournament opener on August 2, before battling Coton FC of Benin on August 4. They would conclude their fixtures against Nigeria‘s Remo Stars on August 6.