NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 7 –South African Pay Television Company SuperSport has officially terminated its contract with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to air its matches over what it terms as breach of license agreement entered into by the parties.
In a brief statement sent this afternoon, the company says formal notice of cancellation of the contract has been given and all the necessary procedures are being put in place to manage the exit from the league.
“The situation became untenable and it put SuperSport at risk therefore has no option but to terminate the contract. SuperSport will continue in its commitment to providing the best sports content in Africa via platforms with cutting-edge technology and on multiple devices,” the brief statement said.
The new development comes after a two-week push and shove between the broadcast partners and the league managers which led to cancellation of live matches over the last two weekends.
KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier, one of the individuals who were key in signing the first ever contract and also present in the signing of the new agreement set to run till 2019, has confirmed to Capital Sport that indeed no more KPL matches will be live on TV.
“We have received the letter direct from the legal team in South Africa. I am looking to meet the Supersport representatives so that we can know the way forward. But it is sad that the contract has been cancelled,” Rachier said.
Capital Sport has managed to get the letter sent to KPL and according to Supersport, they are concerned with the Sports Disputes ruling when deliberating on the issue of expanding the KPL to 18 teams from the previous 16-team size.
Supersport have raised concern that the tribunal ruled that KPL is subordinate to FKF contrary to how it was stated during the signing of the agreement that KPL is warranted by FIFA to runthe top tier league.
“You warranted to us contractually, that KPL is the only body recognized by FIFA to run, administer, and be responsible for the administration of professional club football in Kenya, which warranty is directly contradicted by the relevant SDT ruling and the views of FIFA,” the letter sent to Rachier and signed by Supersport legal advisor Philip Seleke said.
It further adds that the ruling by the tribunal subordinates the KPL’s authority to run the league to FKF and they (KPL) have failed to grant such warranty to Supersport.