AFC leopards property to be auctioned to settle former coach's salary
AFC Leopards coach Ivan Minnaert gives instructions at a past league match.
What you need to know:
- The coach was given the green light to enforce the arbitral award pronounced by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) by high court judge Justice Onesmus Makau
- Minnaert was brought on board by the administration of Ingwe on February 26 on a two years contract but was shown the door eight months later
- Following this courts decree, the coach has through Mr Wasuna now instructed auctioneers to attach the properties of AFC to sell it for them to raise the Sh2.6m owed to Minnaert
The property of AFC Leopards risks being auctioned for its failure to pay former coach Ivan Minnaert over Sh2.4million.
The coach was given the green light to enforce the arbitral award pronounced by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) by high court judge Justice Onesmus Makau.
The judge adopted as court orders, that the club do pay the claimant his outstanding allowances and salary.
On October 6, 2020 the employment and labour relations relations permitted Softpower Auctioneers to attach the property of the club and sell it to realise the amounts sought by the coach.
Prematurely sacked
Minnaert was sacked by the club for poor performance in domestic matches. He was engaged by the club with hopes that he would turn around their performance and ensure Leopards reclaim their lost glory in Kenyan football.
Minnaert was brought on board by the administration of Ingwe on February 26 on a two years contract but was shown the door eight months later.
AFC Leopards coach Ivan Minnaert poses for a photo with a Sh50,000 dummy cheque and a trophy after he was named the Fidelity Insurance-SJAK Coach of the Month for March on April 12, 2016.
The Belgian national, left the club without his emoluments leading to the dispute that was arbitrated by FKF tribunal.
The tribunal pronounced itself on the matter on January 10, 2017 awarding the coach Sh2.6m as his exit sum for services rendered.
According to the ruling this amount was to be settled in six phases Sh500,000 then the balance be cleared in installments of Sh450,000 and Sh300,000. The Sh450,000 was to be offset in four phases.
AFC Leopards head coach Ivan Minnaert reacts during their SportPesa Premier League match against Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium on May 8, 2016.
AFC managed to pay one installment of the decreed amount.
After flouting the tribunals decree, Minnaert, sought to enforce it through the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Prosecuting counsel Mr Francis Wasuna, for the claimant (Minnaert) urged Justice Onesmus Makau to adopt the tribunal award as the court’s decision.
“That in the circumstances it is just and equitable that this court be pleased to recognize the arbitral award delivered on November 15, 2016 as a decree of this honourable,” Mr Wasuna urged Judge Makau.
Auctioneers to act
He further sought the courts permission to enforce it.
In his ruling, Justice Makau allowed the coach's plea and adopted the tribunals finding as a court order.
“It is hereby ordered the arbitral award is hereby adopted as a decree of this court,” Justice Makau ruled.
He added: “That leave be and is hereby granted to the claimant to enforce the said arbitral award made on November 15, 2019.”
Following this courts decree, the coach has through Mr Wasuna now instructed auctioneers to attach the properties of AFC to sell it for them to raise the Sh2.6m owed to Minnaert.
Mr Wasuna has appointed Softpower Auctioneers to descend on the property of AFC to sell by way of public auction to raise the tactician fees.
On October 6, the High Court Deputy Registrar instructed the auctioneers to sell the clubs property to raise Sh2,437,110 being the amount owed to the coach.
