NAIROBI, Kenya, September 5- Former Kenya’s national soccer team, Harambee Stars coach Mohammed Kheri on Thursday rejected the lifting of his suspension by Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Kheri, who is now the technical director of domestic club Sparki Youth FC, was suspended for a year by the federation after he was cited for incitement.
During the Sept. 22, 2012 incident, fracas broke out in a match pitting Admiral and Sparki Youth in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa where the referee, Martin Wamalwa Wekesa was assaulted and allegedly had his testicles crushed.
A letter signed by FKF CEO, Michael Esakwa on Tuesday indicated Kheri who also led Kenya to the 1988 and 1990 Africa Nations Cups before returning to the post for two further stints in 1995 and 2005, was free to continue engaging in football activities but the veteran coach declined the lifting of his ban.
“I better remain suspended rather than admitting the offence I did not commit. I assisted the assaulted referee in restoring his private parts that were twisted and found a vehicle to take him to hospital,” the coach said in Mombasa.
Kheri particularly disputed a paragraph in the FKF letter which stated that he was remorseful over the offence he was purported to have committed.
“It was also noted you have shown remorse over your participation in the unfortunate incident that led to your suspension and have shown willingness to work in hand with the federation to uplift football standards in the country,” the paragraph read.
“How can I show remorse over allegations that were untrue? This is ridiculous! I’m an innocent man and have no apologies to make. I better remain suspended,” the veteran tactician and football administrator charged.
Wekesa shot to global prominence when he sued FKF for 228,571.43 U.S. dollars for loss of child bearing ability as well as lack of enjoyment of his conjugal duties as a result of the crushing of his testicles following the fracas.